Cassytha filiformis

Cassytha filiformis, common name love-vine, is a species of obligate parasitic vine in the family Lauraceae. The species has a native pantropical distribution encompassing the Americas, Indomalaya, Australasia, Polynesia and tropical Africa In the Caribbean region, it is one of several plants known as 'Love vine' because it has a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Cassytha filiformis is a twining vine with an orange to pale green stem. Leaves are reduced to scales about 1 mm long. Flowers are borne in spikes or sometimes solitary. There are six tepals, each 0.1-2.0 mm long. Fruit is a drupe about 7 mm in diameter. The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia records that the 'This and other species of Cassytha are called ' Dodder-laurel.' The emphatic name of 'Devil's guts' is largely used. It frequently connectsbushes and trees by cords, and becomes a nuisance to the traveller. 'This plant is used by the Brahmins of Southern India for seasoning their buttermilk. (Treasury of Botany?)'.