TAXONOMY OF CUSCUTA GRONOVII AND CUSCUTA UMBROSA (CONVOLVULACEAE)

Cuscuta umbrosa is the correct name for the species often recognized as C. megalocarpa. It apparently intergrades in some features with C. gronovii, but the two are generally distinct across a broad region of sympatry. Three varieties are recognized within C. gronovii: var. gronovii is widespread; var. latif lora is broadly sympatric with var. gronovii but is maintained because relationships with C. gronovii var. gronovii and C. cephalanthi are not clear; var. calyptrata is more distinct and narrowly restricted in range, although it also is sympatric with var. gronovii.