img

Cassytha filiformis

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Magnoliids Order: Laurales Family: Lauraceae Genus: Cassytha

kanua‘oa mālolo [kanuaoa malolo], kauna‘oa pehu [kaunaoa pehu], kauna‘oa uka [kaunaoa uka], kaunoa, mālolo, pōlolo [pololo]

img

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Parasitic vines with small haustoria.

Stems: Stems green to orange, filiform, glabrous.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves reduced to minute scales. Alternate. Scales ca. 1 mm long, (easiest seen near tips of stems). Margins entire. Petioles absent. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers few in spicate inflorescences 1(–2) cm long, each one subtended by an ovate bract and 2 ovate bracteoles, these with ciliolate tips. Flowers sessile, small, usually aromatic, bisexual (perfect) or unisexual (and then plants monoecious), actinomorphic. Tepals 6, glabrous, strongly unequal, outer 3 ovate, ca. 1 mm long, strongly resembling bracts and bracteoles, inner 3 elliptic, ca. 2.5 mm long, their tips incurved, usually arranged in whorls of 3, persistent, usually white, greenish white, or yellow, rarely reddish. Fertile stamens glabrous, 9, outer 6 introrse, broad, with very short filaments and acute apex, inner 3 extrorse, with 2 sessile glands at base, tip elongated beyond anther cells into a slender beak, fourth whorl of Stamens reduced to glabrous staminodia; filaments of Stamens of third whorl often with 2 stalked or sessile glands at base; anthers dithecal, opening by valves or small pores. Ovary superior, 1-celled, globose, glabrous; ovule 1, anatropous; stigma capitate to disciform or lobed, occasionally decurrent on style.

Fruit: Berry-like; enclosed in the accrescent floral tube; dried floral parts persisting in fruiting stage;rarely fruit seated on a naked pedicel. Seeds without endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 24; 48*

Habitat: Reported on a variety of hosts; usually growing in coastal habitats.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

img
img
img
img

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Indigenous
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 35 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:844 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Starr et al. 2003:28 (Ku)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cassytha filiformis W Maui, Lahaina District, Honolua, Papua Gulch On Santalum ellipticum & other native and alien shrubs in Lowland Dry Shrubland. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 60304 Maui BISH 2003-06-05
2 Cassytha filiformis Kahili Bog, Wahiawa On various shrubs in bog. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13559 Kauai BISH 1933-12-24
3 Cassytha filiformis Moomomi Sand dunes, on Prosopis. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 13425 Molokai BISH 1936-12-26
4 Cassytha filiformis East Maui, Hana On scrub vegetation near coast. Preserved_Specimen Wiebke, H. 3553 Maui BISH 1927-08-01
5 Cassytha filiformis Waimea District, Polihale State Park (W Kauai) Sand dunes w. shrubby coastal vegetation of Scaevola sericea, Dodonaea, Sida fallax, Myoporum, and naturalized species including Leucaena & Prosopis. Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5738 Kauai BISH 1988-01-15
6 Cassytha filiformis Nualolo Kai, Waimea District On bushes. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 26675 Kauai BISH 1965-04-23
7 Cassytha filiformis Wawaeku, along jeep road to, on E side of island Growing on Dodonaea adjacent to Cuscuta over a weathered lithified dune substrate. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2205 Lanai BISH 1984-10-23
8 Cassytha filiformis Mauumae Ridge, in saddle near the start of Lanipo Trail Arid crestline, on Schinus terebinthifolius. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 741 Oahu BISH 1984-04-28
9 Cassytha filiformis Kapoho: 0.25 mile east of Kapoho Crater Climbing over low Metrosideros trees. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22304 Hawaii BISH 1946-12-22
10 Cassytha filiformis Mahana On Nestegis & weeds mostly. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 30111 Lanai BISH 1964-01-10
11 Cassytha filiformis W Maui, Poelua Ridge, slope of small gully at edge of ridge Remnant drier end of mixed mesophytic forest of Osmanthus, Diospyros, Eugenia, and Psychotria. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5479 Maui BISH 1984-10-08
12 Cassytha filiformis East Maui, Hana, Wakiu Over bushes. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 17830 Maui BISH 1936-12-30
13 Cassytha filiformis Mokapu Islet dry; Chamaesyce celastroides, Chenopodium oahuense, Diospyros sandwicensis, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Cassytha filiformis, Artemisia australis, Sida fallax, Plumbago zeylanica, Dianella sandwicensis, Melanthera integrifolia, Lepidium bidentatum Preserved_Specimen Wood, K.R. 11725 Molokai BISH 2006-01-10
14 Cassytha filiformis Kaa, Polihua Sand dunes and climbing on many plants. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18827 Lanai BISH 1938-04-13
15 Cassytha filiformis 1.8mi SW of Polihale State Park, W side of Island Blanketing small trees on sand dunes just back of beach. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 53658 Kauai BISH 1971-04-04
16 Cassytha filiformis Barber's Point Naval Air Station, Coral Sea Road. Beach, parasitic on Scaevola sericea, full sun Preserved_Specimen Hernandez, J.P. 16 Oahu BISH 2006-01-14
17 Cassytha filiformis barking Sands, Mana On ground and in Prosopis. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3552 Kauai BISH 1926-06-13
18 Cassytha filiformis Near Barbers Point On arid limestone plain near sea. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5583 Oahu BISH 1932-05-08
19 Cassytha filiformis Lanai City, mauka On low Metrosideros. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28661 Lanai BISH 1963-07-25
20 Cassytha filiformis Barbers Point Coral plain, near beach. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1937-08-08
21 Cassytha filiformis Barberʻs Point Naval Air Station, Nimitz Beach Beach, parasitic on Pluchea indica Preserved_Specimen J.P. Hernandez 15 Oahu BISH 2006-01-14
22 Cassytha filiformis North Kohala District: Pololu Valley Common on shrubs. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25492 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-30
23 Cassytha filiformis Barber's Point Frequent near the sea. Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37269 Oahu BISH 1937-08-11
24 Cassytha filiformis In the Ewa Beach Marina Batis Swamp Growing on dead vegetation. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 602 Oahu BISH 1990-05-01
25 Cassytha filiformis Wailupe Arid Schinus-Osteomeles association. On solitary Ohia (most likely Metrosideros polymorpha var imbricata). Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2252 Oahu BISH 1985-06-16
26 Cassytha filiformis W side of Kahana Valley On sunny slope with grasses & Osteomeles. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3704 Oahu BISH 1929-02-24
27 Cassytha filiformis N end of Barking Sands, Waimea On Prosopis tree 7m from ground. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22966 Kauai BISH 1947-12-23
28 Cassytha filiformis East Maui, Hana Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. 338 Maui BISH 1933-06-06
29 Cassytha filiformis Napali Coast, Maunapuluo, Hanakapiai Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10889 Kauai BISH 1930-12-30
30 Cassytha filiformis Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 109 Oahu BISH 2021-04-30
31 Cassytha filiformis Waikaloa Gulch Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1446 Oahu BISH 1916-01-01
32 Cassytha filiformis Mahana Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 106 Lanai BISH 1913-09-12
33 Cassytha filiformis Puna District: Wahaula heiau Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 2912 Hawaii BISH 1959-06-21
34 Cassytha filiformis Kona District: Kapua Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 355 Hawaii BISH 1911-07-24
35 Cassytha filiformis Hwy 56 betw Anahola & Kilauea, 1/2mi past mile marker 18 Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 810 Kauai BISH 1984-03-22
36 Cassytha filiformis Maui Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Maui BISH 1933-06-10
37 Cassytha filiformis Oahu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5577 Oahu BISH 1929-02-26
38 Cassytha filiformis Ewa Beach Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 148 Oahu BISH 1982-01-30
39 Cassytha filiformis S slope of Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1911 Maui BISH 1920-03-09
40 Cassytha filiformis Honokahau Drainage Basin Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 484 Maui BISH 1917-09-25
41 Cassytha filiformis Mahana near Maunalei Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 107 Lanai BISH 1913-09-22
42 Cassytha filiformis Koele Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 446 Lanai BISH 1929-08-13
43 Cassytha filiformis Kona Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 940 Hawaii BISH 1968-02-23
44 Cassytha filiformis Puna District: Wahaula Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3031 Hawaii BISH 1959-08-04
45 Cassytha filiformis barking Sands, Mana Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 30294 Kauai BISH 1926-06-13
46 Cassytha filiformis Moomomi Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 14018 Molokai BISH 1918-05-20
47 Cassytha filiformis Dry, sandy, open area Preserved_Specimen Al-Bayer, S. Kure Atoll BISH 2018-11-05
48 Cassytha filiformis Polihale Beach dune area Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-09-24
49 Cassytha filiformis Wahiawa Rd Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. Oahu BISH 1945-12-02
50 Cassytha filiformis Molokai Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. Molokai BISH 1864-01-01
51 Cassytha filiformis Kiekie Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
52 Cassytha filiformis Molokai Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Molokai BISH 1909-01-01
53 Cassytha filiformis S half of Island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
54 Cassytha filiformis Paomai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Lanai BISH 1914-03-19
55 Cassytha filiformis Kalalau Trail Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Kauai BISH 1909-07-19
56 Cassytha filiformis Mt Kaala, Dupont Trail Preserved_Specimen Lohman, M.L. Oahu BISH 1952-12-30
57 Cassytha filiformis Puna District: Olaa Preserved_Specimen Pukui, M.K. Hawaii BISH 1931-01-01
58 Cassytha filiformis Kona Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 940 Hawaii BISH 1968-02-23
59 Cassytha filiformis unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
60 Cassytha filiformis Along the Hanapepe River, near the falls Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2729 Kauai BISH 1895-08-14
61 Cassytha filiformis Halawa On shrubs. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23407 Molokai BISH 1948-12-21
62 Cassytha filiformis Between Hanalei & Kalihiwai On rd cut area; on Cynodon. Lowland forest of Eucalyptus. Preserved_Specimen Carlquist, S. 1803 Kauai BISH 1965-08-01
63 Cassytha filiformis Kawaihapai Taking possession of ricky hill. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10006 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
64 Cassytha filiformis Kau District: Near Naalehu Growing over Lantana on arid `a`a lava flow. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5578 Hawaii BISH 1929-12-12
65 Cassytha filiformis Kalani coastal dunes On Scaevola and other plants. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3551 Molokai BISH 1928-04-19
66 Cassytha filiformis Between Halawa and Halawaiki Valleys In dry country; on Osteomeles. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5575 Molokai BISH 1928-06-21
67 Cassytha filiformis Maakua-Papali ridge, Hauula Cover woods, On trees, this on Metrosideros. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13373 Oahu BISH 1933-10-15
68 Cassytha filiformis Kanepuu forest Growing over Lantana and grasses sometimes into 5m trees. Preserved_Specimen Spence, G. 172 Lanai BISH 1973-07-04
69 Cassytha filiformis Kona Forming yellowish-orange and green filamentous Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 940 Hawaii BISH 1968-02-23
70 Cassytha filiformis Lanai City, NW Nearly bare slope. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 24245 Lanai BISH 1957-08-12
71 Cassytha filiformis Kamalo Gulch On Lantana, in arid region. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5576 Molokai BISH 1928-06-29
72 Cassytha filiformis East Maui, Hana Coast, along Hana Airport Rd. Growing on Aleurites and Psidium trees along roadside. Preserved_Specimen Spence, G. 137 Maui BISH 1972-12-20
73 Cassytha filiformis Mauumae Ridge, in saddle near the start of Lanipo Trail Arid crestline, on Schinus terebinthifolius. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 152 Oahu BISH 1984-04-28
74 Cassytha filiformis Na Pali Coast, Nualolo Kai Climbing on rocks and Leucaena leucocephala in old Hawaiian terrace. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 426 Kauai BISH 1979-07-20
75 Cassytha filiformis Mana On dune by shore. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Kauai BISH 1949-10-07
76 Cassytha filiformis East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden Cultivated area around Pi`ilanihale Heiau in remnant Pandanus forest. In aleurites. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2478 Maui BISH 1987-10-20
77 Cassytha filiformis Waimea Arboretum On Scaevola taccada, in partial shade. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 2383 Oahu BISH 1986-05-12
78 Cassytha filiformis W end Dry forests. Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 161 Lanai BISH 1913-06-01
79 Cassytha filiformis Hauula On Sphenomeris, etc. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1652 Oahu BISH 1923-07-01
80 Cassytha filiformis Kalaupapa; Kauhako crater, NW ulei patch; dry, native, non-native shrub Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 637 Molokai BISH 2004-12-23
81 Cassytha filiformis District of South Hilo. Road to Hilo airport, about 1 km from highway, S side of road Disturbed roadside in lowland wet forest. Parasitic on Melastoma sanguineum. Native spp.: Metrosideros polymorpha, Pandanus tectorius. Naturalized spp.: Melastoma sanguineum. Preserved_Specimen Price, J.P. 72 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-06
82 Cassytha filiformis Puna Coast near Hilo Dry sunny guava thicket. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1653 Hawaii BISH 1922-08-27
83 Cassytha filiformis Mahana, Hulopoe Gulch In thicket, on bushes. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18750 Lanai BISH 1938-04-09
84 Cassytha filiformis n slope of Mt Kaala, DuPont Trail On Lantana camara, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, Erigeron albidus. in dry windswept scrub, Guava zone. Preserved_Specimen Hatheway, W.H. 120 Oahu BISH 1959-03-12
85 Cassytha filiformis Kure Atoll Near coast, growing on Naupaka. Associated vegetation: Scaevola sericea, Tournefortia argentea. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 1052212 Kure Atoll BISH 2001-05-22
86 Cassytha filiformis Along Naha Road Dry Dodonaea scrubland with Wikstroemia oahuensis, Melinis repens, Cymbopogon refractus, Lantana, Sida fallax, Heteropogon. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 2003194 Lanai BISH 2003-12-04
87 Cassytha filiformis Along rim of Uau Crater, Kalaupapa Twining over Euphorbia, Schinus, etc. Preserved_Specimen Gagné, W.C. Molokai BISH 1974-03-08
88 Cassytha filiformis Railroad Ave near Keonepoko. Zone 4 Ohia dieback tract, on Pluchea. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3560 Oahu BISH 1987-02-01
89 Cassytha filiformis Between Kawaihapai and kaena Point On sida etc in dry rocky region not far from sea. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5579 Oahu BISH 1931-01-01
90 Cassytha filiformis Moomomi, parcel 8 Proposed sand mining tract. On Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2961 Molokai BISH 1986-10-30
91 Cassytha filiformis W ridge of Honomuni Thicket on bushes. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25177 Molokai BISH 1953-12-23
92 Cassytha filiformis kahana Valley, Along ridge trail starting at the old abandoned Mormon church and cemetery on the Kawa side Mainly on Osteomeles sp.(no.177). Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 184 Oahu BISH 1972-08-18
93 Cassytha filiformis Poooneone Edge of thicket, in dunes, various hosts. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22740 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
94 Cassytha filiformis barking Sands, Mana On ground and in Prosopis. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3552 Kauai BISH 1926-06-13
95 Cassytha filiformis Halawa On shrubs. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23407 Molokai BISH 1948-12-21
Back to Top