Dodder

Cuscuta spp.

Alternate names
Field Dodder

Weed Description
A yellowish to reddish-brown parasitic vine that attaches on to host plants causing reductions in yield and/or fitness of desirable species. Dodder is primarily a weed of landscapes, nurseries, and cucurbit crops, but this weed can occasionally be found in other agronomic crops like alfalfa.

Seedlings
Seedlings develop only for a short time until the stalks are able to attach to a host plant. Seedlings resemble mature plants and are yellowish to reddish-brown stems and no apparent leaves.

Leaves
Occur as scales that are rarely noticeable.

Stems
Twining, usually counterclockwise in direction, branching, and yellowish to reddish-brown in color.

Flowers
Occur in relatively inconspicuous clusters. Flowers are white or pink in color.

Fruit
A round capsule that is approximately 3 mm long and contains 4 seeds.

Roots
Occur only for a short time until the plant is able to attach to a host.

Identifying Characteristics
The vining nature and yellowish to reddish-brown color of dodder makes this easy to distinguish from most other weeds, however several species of dodder occur throughout the United States.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Dodder

Cuscuta spp.