|
Graver Home |
|
|
|
|
Dodder wrapped around stem
of another plant
Cuscuta gronovii
Common Name of Species: Dodder,
Love Tangle
Family: Convolvulaceae
Description: Dodder can be identified by it’s bright orange stems, noticeable absence of leaves, and small white clustered flowers. Dodder is a parasitic plant, meaning that it does not grow on its own, but rather wraps around the stalks of other plants.
Leaves: Dodder has no leaves.
Flowers: Tiny, white, bell shaped clustered flowers. Each flower is approximately 1/8 of an inch wide. Flower clusters are very dense.
Stem: Stems vary from yellowish orange to bright orange, and are vine-like. Stems are not rooted into the ground, rather they are parasitic and attach onto other plant stems for stability and nutrients.
Height: No specific height or length of vines.
Branching Pattern of Leaves: Dodder has no leaves.
Conditions/Habitat: Will attach to a great variety of plants, most of which grow in moist/wet meadows and thickets.
Range: Eastern half of North America.
References:
Niering, W.A., Olmstead, N.C, & Thieret, J.W. (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers Eastern Region (Revised Edition). New York: Random House Inc.
Newcomb, Lawrence (1977). Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. New York: Little, Brown.
McKenny, M. & Peterson R.T. (1996). Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers Northeastern/ North-central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
USDA, NRCS (2004). Plants Database, Version 3.05 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874 USA.