Cuscuta is an example of:

parasite

The correct answer is Option (4)- parasite

Cuscuta is an example of a parasite.

Explanation:

Cuscuta, commonly known as dodder, is a genus of flowering plants that are parasitic on other plants. Dodder lacks chlorophyll and is unable to photosynthesize, so it relies on obtaining nutrients and water from its host plants. Once the dodder seedlings come into contact with a suitable host, they establish connections called haustoria that penetrate the host's vascular system, allowing them to extract nutrients.

Therefore, Cuscuta is categorized as a parasitic plant because it depends on other plants (hosts) for its nutrition and lacks the ability to produce its own food through photosynthesis.