SafePlants

Mountain Dodder (Cuscuta suksdorfii)

Considerations for Pets

• As a vine, Mountain Dodder has a twining growth habit, which could present an entanglement risk to small pets.
• Dodder is a rootless stem holoparasite.

Considerations for Children

• As a vine, Mountain Dodder has a twining growth habit, which could present an entanglement risk to small children.
• Dodder extracts water nutrients and carbon.

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

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

Distribution and Habitat

• Mountain Dodder can be found at elevations ranging from 0 to 2,780 meters.
• It has been observed in diverse habitats, including coastal, inland, mountain, and desert regions.
• Specific locations mentioned include the northern slopes of Kippure in the Wicklow Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Ecological Role

• Dodder is a parasitic vine that lacks chlorophyll and depends on other plants for sustenance.
• It extracts water, nutrients, and carbon from its host plant.
• Dodder seeds are dispersed by wind, water, birds, mammals, and human activities.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Mountain Dodder is a perennial vine or forb/herb.
• It is described as a rootless obligate stem holoparasite.
• Stems are slender and pale yellowish.
• Flowers grow in few-flowered clusters.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Mountain Dodder parasitizes other plants, such as Virginia Mountain Mint and jewelweed.

Further Information

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