Dodder

Cuscuta sp.

image of dodder infesting a cucurbit

Note: Click on the image(s) above to see larger version.

Symptoms:
Dodder is a parasitic seed plant. It is yellow, completely lacking the ability to produce its own food. The thread-like stems grow rapidly to cover the entire plant (or plants), eventually girdling some stems and reducing the vigor of the host.

Control:
The most effective control is to remove and destroy the dodder plants before they become established and produce seeds.


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Publication Revised July 2009

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