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dodder

Scientific Name: Cuscuta

Family: Cuscutaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dodder: The Parasitic Vine

Dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta, is a fascinating and somewhat unsettling plant. This parasitic vine, with its vibrant colors and unique lifestyle, often captures attention – whether admired or reviled.

Considerations for Pets

  • Dodder often appears as a tangle of yellow, orange, or red stems, which could be enticing for pets to investigate or ingest.
  • The plant attaches to other plants using haustoria, root-like organs that penetrate the host's tissue. These structures might present a minor physical hazard.

Considerations for Children

  • The bright colors of dodder (yellow, orange, red) may attract children.
  • The plant's string-like appearance, resembling "Silly String," may also be tempting for children to play with.

Quirky Facts

  • Dodder cannot survive on its own. It lacks chlorophyll and must obtain nutrients by parasitizing other plants.
  • Some common names for dodder include "Devil's Hair," "Strangleweed," and "Angel's Hair," reflecting its somewhat sinister parasitic nature and unique appearance.
  • Dodder has the ability to choose a host plant based on smell.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Cuscuta
  • Common Names: Dodder, Love Vine, Knot Weed, Strangleweed, Stranglevine, Angel's Hair, Devil's-Guts, Goldthread, Pull-Down, Devil's Ringlet, Hellbind
  • Family: Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)
  • Former Family: Cuscutaceae (formerly treated as the only genus in this family)

Distribution and Habitat

Dodder species are found throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world. It can be found in diverse environments, including deserts, salt marshes (e.g., Baylands Nature Preserve), and even the New Forest in England.

Ecological Role

  • Dodder is a parasitic plant, meaning it relies on other plants for survival.
  • Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica) is considered an aggressive invasive plant with the potential to alter riparian ecosystems.
  • Dodder can infest crops, ornamentals, native plants, and weeds.
  • Dodder is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA) under the name Golden dodder, field dodder, angel's hair, common dodder, strangle vine (Cuscuta campestris).

Morphological Characteristics

  • Dodder is an annual, seed-bearing parasitic vine.
  • It lacks chlorophyll and has yellow, orange, or red stems.
  • The stems are thin and thread-like, often described as wiry.
  • Leaves are reduced to tiny scales.
  • It attaches to host plants via haustoria, which penetrate the host's tissue.

Dispersal

  • Cuscuta campestris seeds are dispersed by wind, water, birds, other animals, and humans via contaminated machinery and planting material.
  • Dodder can also be spread by stem fragments.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Dodder parasitizes a wide range of host plants, including crops like lucerne and vegetables, as well as native plants and weeds.
  • It can transmit phytoplasmas, plant pathogens, from one host to another.

Further Information

  • University of Massachusetts, Cranberry Experiment Station. Hilary A. Sandler. UMASS / AMHERST - CRANBERRY
  • California Invasive Plant Council