New records of Cuscuta L. (Convolvulaceae) in Central-West Brazil

Abstract

The genus Cuscuta L. (Convolvulaceae) are holoparasitic plants with cosmopolitan distributions, and they are usually difficult to identify. Based on several new field collections, we present three new floristic records from this genus in Central-West Brazil. Cuscuta platyloba Progel and Cuscuta partita Choisy are cited for the first time from Mato Grosso do Sul state, while Cuscuta xanthochortos var. carinata Mart., which was previously only known from southern Brazil, is also shown to be present in the Central-West region of the country. An identification key of Cuscuta species from Mato Grosso do Sul is also provided.