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desert dodder

Scientific Name: Cuscuta denticulata var. denticulata

Family: Cuscutaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Desert Dodder (Cuscuta denticulata)

Desert dodder is a fascinating parasitic plant commonly found in arid environments. Its unique growth habit and interactions with other plants make it a noteworthy species.

Considerations for Pets

  • Desert dodder is a vine that can grow over shrubs, potentially making it accessible to pets in gardens or natural areas.

Considerations for Children

  • Desert dodder is a vine that can grow over shrubs, potentially making it accessible to children in gardens or natural areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cuscuta denticulata Engelm.
  • Family: Convulvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety (Cuscuta denticulata var. denticulata)
  • Synonyms: Grammica denticulata (Engelm.) W.A. Weber
  • Common Names: Desert dodder, small-toothed dodder, small-tooth dodder

Distribution and Habitat

  • Desert dodder is found in desert, upland, mountain, and riparian habitats.
  • Specific locations mentioned include the Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park (Inyo Co., California), and the high desert region of Southern California.

Ecological Role

  • Desert dodder is a parasitic plant, meaning it obtains nutrients from other plants. It is often seen climbing over desert shrubs, sometimes completely covering them.
  • While the dodder genus is often considered a noxious weed, desert dodder is a protected "Sensitive" species in Washington.
  • All dodder species in Arizona are native.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Desert dodder is a thin, yellow to orange, slender-stemmed annual vine.
  • It is leafless, with fleshy, orange-yellow stems that twine and drape over other plants.
  • It attaches to and parasitizes supporting plants by means of haustoria.
  • Flowers are cream or white, and the flowering season is in the spring and summer.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Desert dodder parasitizes various host plants, including shrubs like white burro bush (Ambrosia dumosa) and sage bush.

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cuscuta denticulata.