Common Dodder vs abigarrada de la ortiga

Cuscuta gronovii compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

  • Common Dodder is Least Concern while abigarrada de la ortiga is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Common Dodder abigarrada de la ortiga
Kingdom Plantae (planta) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Arthropoda (artrópodos)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Insecta (insecto)
Order Solanales (Solanales) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Convolvulaceae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Cuscuta Aglais
Species Cuscuta gronovii Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

Common Dodder

LC — Least Concern

abigarrada de la ortiga

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Common Dodder abigarrada de la ortiga
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Dodder

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found across Europe (11 countries) and North America (United States).

abigarrada de la ortiga

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Dodder

<em>Cuscuta gronovii</em>, the common dodder, is a parasitic annual vine in the family Convolvulaceae. This species is distributed across eleven European countries as well as the United States, where it typically inhabits diverse terrestrial environments including wetland margins, roadsides, thickets, and disturbed vegetation. Unlike most plants, <em>Cuscuta gronovii</em> lacks chlorophyll and is entirely dependent on host plants for water and nutrients, which it extracts through specialized structures called haustoria. The common dodder typically has slender, twining orange or yellowish stems and produces small, clustered white or pale pink flowers in late summer. It often parasitizes a broad range of host species, including many herbaceous and shrubby plants. Once attached to a host, it typically sheds its connection to the soil and relies entirely on the host for sustenance. The species is assessed as Least Concern, reflecting its wide distribution and ability to colonize disturbed habitats. Its parasitic life history makes it ecologically notable among flowering plants.

abigarrada de la ortiga

La mariposa ortiguera pequena (Aglais urticae) esta clasificada como Casi Amenazada (NT) en la Lista Roja de la UICN. Esta cerca de calificar como amenazada, con poblaciones que podrian volverse vulnerables sin medidas de conservacion.

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