Common Name:

General Information

Cassytha melantha is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial climbing plant with twining stems. A parastic plant, with its leaves reduced to minute scales, it scrambles over vegetation up to 9 metres tall, attaching itself to host plants in order to gain nutruents[, ] The plant can form dense, impenetrable thickets[].
The plant has been reported as a potential source of fibre for making string etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia

Habitat

Parasitic on trees and shrubs, most commonly in coastal areas but also inland; at elevations up to 320 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A parasitic plant, Cassytha strongly favours Eucalyptus species as a host. If a seedling finds a suitable host, the Cassytha will begin climbing into it, attaching itself to the host and drawing nutrients from it. The portion of the plant that initially germinated and grew from the ground will then die off to leave the Cassytha totally dependant upon the host for food.
A very robust species, it can often extensively and densely drape over (and sometimes smother) shrubs and trees[].
The flowers produce an amazing perfume when you get to within 2 metres of them, which attracts small flying insects like flies, etc, to pollinate them.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are a source of fibre[].

Propagation

Seed -