ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Dodder, Cuscuta sp., parasitizing plants in a pasture.

Dodder (Cuscuta sp.) stem and flowers encircling and parasitizing a native Hawaiian groundcover plant, ilima (Sida fallax).

Dodder (the yellow plants), Cuscuta sp., parasitizing roadside plants in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dodder (Cuscuta sp.) stem winding around and parasitizing a roadside weed in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Definition

Dodder is a parasitic seed plant (Cuscuta spp.) without leaves; a yellow filamentous vine.

Etymology. 1617, from M.E. daderen "to quake, tremble" (1483), apparently frequentative of dialectal dade, on a form similar to totter, patter.

Discussion

Dodder has a relatively wide host range.  Dodder tends to parasitize plants at or near ground level.