Cuscuta pentagona (Dodder)

2/24/2010 · Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 10 × 7″ (26 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

Dodder is enveloping pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica). · 2/24/2010 · Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (12 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

2/24/2010 · Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 5 × 5″ (12 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

9/13/2010 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

8/14/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp, Rte. 119, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 3 × 2½″ (7.9 × 6.4 cm) ID is uncertain

4/13/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Solanales	Potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, tobacco, petunias, sweet potatoes, morning glories, many others
Family	Convolvulaceae	Bindweed or morning glory family
Genus	Cuscuta	A name of Arabic derivation meaning “dodder”
Species	pentagona	Five-angled

About plant names...