Cassytha pubescens is a parasitic, twining vine is distinctive as it has no leaves, and forms masses of crazy-string like vine tangle. “Crazy String” is not a recognised common name, but that’s what I’ve always known it as!


Of the Cassytha species, the pubescens most distinctive feature is the thickness of the vine: 0.5 to 1.5mm, while all others species are only 0.5mm. Confirmation is the flower racemes. The young tips are either white or reddish, as seen in the photo below.


Examples of Cassytha pubescens can be found in Mandeni’s Rainforest area, and nearby tracks, such as at Mandeni map grid 59 650, 18 530.

Photos:

Click on either thumbnail to download a high resolution image:

cassytha pubescens

cassytha pubescens raceme

Left: Cassytha pubescens has climbed over an Acacia floribunda, forming a large mass over 6m tall (T.Hastings 1/9/11).

Right: the flower raceme and young growth tips of Cassytha pubescens (T.Hastings 1/9/11).


For more info see: NSW Flora Online