Wikipedia
Cassytha is a genus of some two dozen species of obligately parasitic vines in the family Lauraceae. Superficially, and in some aspects of their ecology, they closely resemble plants in the unrelated genus Cuscuta, the dodders. The physical resemblance is so close, when fruit and flowers are absent in the field, few people without technical training can tell them apart. The two genera present a spectacular example of convergent evolution. In its divergence from habits typical of the Lauraceae, Cassytha also presents examples of mosaic evolution
Several species of Cassytha are regarded as pests in some regions, though in general they are not as serious a problem as the true dodders. Some even yield a welcome harvest of fruit, or are valued for their perceived medicinal or aphrodisiac properties, partly because, like many members of the Lauraceae, some are fragrant when bruised. Their stems make useful strings for construction of thatched roofs and certain styles of lei and the like.