No images found for this plant ID: 13003.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "13003" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
fringed dodder
Scientific Name: Cuscuta suaveolens
Family: Cuscutaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Fringed Dodder (Cuscuta suaveolens)
Cuscuta suaveolens, commonly known as fringed dodder, is a parasitic plant that can form dense mats over other vegetation. It is also referred to as Lucerne dodder and Alfalfa dodder.
Considerations for Pets
Fringed dodder is a twining plant that can form dense patches. It has slender, yellowish or whitish stems. These characteristics may present a physical interaction risk for pets, especially small ones.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cuscuta suaveolens Ser.
- Rank: Species
- Synonyms: Cuscuta racemosa, Cuscuta racemosa var. chileana
Distribution and Habitat
Cuscuta suaveolens has been found in South Australia and Texas and is considered native to Australia. It can occur on the fringes of salt marshes.
Morphological Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Short-lived, leafless, twining, parasitic herb.
- Stems: Slender, yellowish or whitish, up to 2m high.
- Growth Pattern: Forms dense patches up to 6m across.
- Flowers: Campanulate (bell-shaped), 5-merous.
- Scales: Fringed infrastaminal scales that are about as long as the corolla tube.
Ecological Role
Cuscuta suaveolens is a parasitic plant. It forms a dense mat of growth over other plants, extracting nutrients from them. In some regions, it is considered a threat under climate change.
Quirky Facts
- The common name "dodder" is derived from the German word for "egg-yolk," referring to the yellow stem color of many Cuscuta species.
Interactions with Other Organisms
As a parasitic plant, Cuscuta suaveolens directly interacts with other plants by twining around them and extracting nutrients. It is noted that Cassytha sp. (native Dodder Vine) can be a threat to other plants.
Further Information
For more information, you can explore resources like Dave's Garden and Discover Life for detailed information about Cuscuta suaveolens.