SafePlants

Mountain Dodder (Cuscuta suksdorfii)

Mountain Dodder, scientifically known as Cuscuta suksdorfii, is a fascinating parasitic plant with unique characteristics and distribution.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a vine.

Considerations for Children

• This plant is a vine.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cuscuta suksdorfii Yunck.
• Rank: Variety (Cuscuta suksdorfii Yunck. var. suksdorfii)
• Family: Cuscutaceae (Dodder Family)
• Common Name: Mountain Dodder

Distribution and Habitat

• Cuscuta suksdorfii is found in various habitats, including coastal, inland, mountain, and desert regions.
• Specifically mentioned locations include the Santa Rita Mountains, Mingus Mountain, San Gabriel Mountains, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains.
• The elevation where dodder can be found is between 0m to 2,780m.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Mountain Dodder is a perennial vine, classified as a forb/herb.
• It is a parasitic vine, lacking chlorophyll and extracting water, nutrients, and carbon from host plants.
• The stems are described as slender and pale yellowish.
• Flowers grow in few-flowered clusters.

Ecological Role

• Dodder is an obligate stem holoparasite, meaning it is entirely dependent on a host plant for survival.
• Dodder seeds are carried by wind, water, birds, mammals, and humans.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Mountain Dodder is a parasitic vine, so it entwines around host plants to obtain nutrients. The plant has been observed hosting on Virginia Mountain Mint.
• Dodder has been found on invasive jewelweed.
• The plant has been found on Mountain Laurel.

Quirky Facts

• The text refers to the life of the Dodder Vine as reading "like the pages of a horror story."

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cuscuta suksdorfii.