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fiveangled dodder

Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona

Family: Cuscutaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names: NH (five-angled dodder), OH (five-angled dodder)

       

Five-Angled Dodder (Cuscuta pentagona)

Cuscuta pentagona, commonly known as five-angled dodder, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae (formerly Cuscutaceae). Other common names include field dodder, western field dodder, five-cornered dodder, bushclover dodder, prairie dodder, and sometimes simply dodder or love-vine. It is also referred to as witches' shoelaces, angel's-hair, and strangle vine.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a vine with string-like stems, which may be tempting for pets to play with.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is a vine and the string-like stems may be tempting for children to play with.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cuscuta pentagona Engelm.
  • Family: Convolvulaceae (Dodder Family; previously Cuscutaceae)
  • Synonyms: Cuscuta arvensis, Cuscuta campestris, Grammica campestris
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species; variety - Cuscuta pentagona var. pubescens

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cuscuta pentagona is native to Illinois and occasional throughout the state.
  • It is found below 1500' generally near the coast.
  • It is likely more common in the Lower Hudson and New York City area.
  • Occurrences have been verified in Carroll Co., Maryland (7/7/1991).

Ecological Role

  • Cuscuta pentagona is a parasitic plant, meaning it obtains nutrients from a host plant.
  • It parasitizes a variety of herbaceous and woody species, including crops like tomatoes and alfalfa.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a leafless annual vine of indeterminate length.
  • It is a rapidly growing, twining vine without chlorophyll.
  • Stems are vine-like, twining, and string-like, up to 6.5 feet long.
  • Flowers are formed abundantly in dense clusters.
  • Flowers are white and five-angled.

Quirky Facts

  • Five-angled dodder can "sniff" for prey, meaning it can detect potential host plants through airborne chemicals.
  • Dodder seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 20 years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate.
  • The genus name Cuscuta is of Arabic derivation and simply means "dodder". The species name pentagona means "five-angled".