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Dodder
ExplorePlants
Dodder
Cuscuta
Dodder is a unique plant that doesn't grow roots in the ground. It wraps around other plants to get its food and looks like a tangled orange or yellow string in nature.
Habitat: Various habitats
Appearance
The Dodder is a parasitic plant recognized by its distinctive tangle of leafless, string-like stems, often bright yellow, orange, or reddish. It forms dense, spaghetti-like mats that drape over other plants, making it visually stand out against green foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilyConvolvulaceaeGenusCuscuta
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Dodder can transfer tiny genetic messages between plants it connects, like a secret network!
Dodder is related to morning glories, even though it looks completely different!
Its seeds are super tough, sometimes waiting over ten years in the soil before sprouting!
Some cultures have traditionally used Dodder for medicinal purposes, especially its seeds!
Special abilities
Ability
Plant Vampire
Dodder has specialized sucking organs called haustoria that puncture host plants to steal nutrients and water.
Ability
Host Hunter
Dodder seedlings can 'smell' chemicals released by nearby plants, helping them find a host even without roots.
Ability
Stem Searcher
Unlike most plants, Dodder grows with no roots once attached, using its stems to find and twine around new hosts.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-200 cm
- Spread
- 50-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
A significant agricultural pest, feeding on alfalfa crops.
parasitizes
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Frequently infests clover fields, weakening host plants.
parasitizes
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
Often found twining around wild carrot and other roadside plants.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Honey bees visit its tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Parasitic
This trait describes organisms that live on or in a host organism, obtaining nutrients at the host's expense.
Also known as
Love VineStrangleweed
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Admire dodder from a distance as it can harm other plants by taking their nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dodder?
30-200 cm
How wide does Dodder spread?
50-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Dodder?
0.2-0.4 cm
When does Dodder bloom?
Summer, Fall
Is Dodder edible?
No
Is Dodder toxic?
None
What is Dodder's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Dodder pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
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