Scientific Name: Cassytha melantha

Common Name: large dodderlaurel

Family Classification (Clade): Magnoliids

Family: Lauraceae

Form Description: Twining parasitic plant with tough stems. The plant, including flowers and fruit, becomes black when dried.

Flowers: 5-7mm in diameter, 3-10 together.

Fruit: Drupe is 7-10mm in diameter, fleshy, and dark greenish black. Drupe encloses one hard seed.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyKentishLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsTasmanWest Tamar
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Frequent in the north of the State.

General Notes

Requires a host plant to parasitise.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Impractical Propagation material is too difficult to collect or conditions for propagation or cultivation are too specialized.

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Difficult to grow from seed.

Seed Treatment Notes

Germination has been observed following fire, but mild abrasion of the seed is ineffectual; may require stronger treatment.