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American dodder
Scientific Name: Cuscuta americana
Family: Cuscutaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
American Dodder (Cuscuta americana)
American Dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta americana, is a fascinating and widespread parasitic plant found across North America and beyond. Often referred to simply as "dodder," this plant exhibits unique characteristics and plays a significant role in the ecosystems it inhabits.
Considerations for Pets
- Dodder has a very thin stem which may look like spaghetti to pets.
Considerations for Children
- Dodder vine has a very thin stem.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Cuscuta americana L.
- Common Names: American Dodder, Dodder, Rope Dodder, Glomerate Dodder, Cluster Dodder.
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Synonyms: The text mentions other Cuscuta species such as Cuscuta campestris, Cuscuta californica, Cuscuta gronovii, Cuscuta cephalanthii, Cuscuta applanata and Cuscuta approximata which are closely related.
Distribution and Habitat
- American Dodder is thought to be native to North America, including Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
- It is also found in PR, the Virgin Islands, VI, Navassa Island, NAV, Canada, CAN, Greenland, GL, Saint Pierre and Michelon, SPM, and North America.
- It's often seen in marshes and roadsides.
Ecological Role
- Dodder is a parasitic plant, meaning it relies on other plants (hosts) for survival.
- It infests various crops, including leguminous crops like alfalfa and clover, as well as vegetable, forage, and ornamental crops.
- The USDA classifies dozens of dodder species as Noxious Weeds.
- Dodder is the only weed legally restricted as a contaminant in crop seed in each state of the continental United States.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Dodder is an annual parasitic vine with smooth, wiry, twining stems.
- The stems are typically yellow, orange, or red, and appear leafless.
- The flowers range in color from white to pink to yellow to cream.
- It produces a pea-sized fruit.
- Dodder has very low levels of chlorophyll, so it appears pale yellow.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Dodder attaches to host plants using its twining stems.
- It is known to parasitize Jewelweed stems.
- It can damage leguminous crops, especially alfalfa and clover, and also impacts vegetable and forage crops, ornamentals, and native plants.
Quirky Facts
- Native American women reportedly ate Buttonbush dodder (Cuscuta cephalanthii) as a contraceptive.
- Before reaching a host plant, dodder survives on food reserves in its embryo.
Further Information
- UC home and landscape guidelines for control of Dodder: See Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance.
- The Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants provides information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information.
- USDA PLANTS Database.