Cuscuta compacta

Compact Dodder is an annual heterotrophic parasitic plant in the morning glory family that gets its nutrients from other plants. When the seeds germinate they initially have rudimentary roots but soon loose these as the stems seek their host. They tend to prefer woody plants but will use deciduous plants also.  The yellowish to orange stems wrap around a host plant forming a dense rope-like glomerule cluster and the haustoria (sucking roots) penetrate the host to obtain nutrients. It is a problem in blueberry fields in some areas of NC.

It is found in bottomland forests near stream banks and other wet habitats. The tiny tubular, stemless flowers are in clusters of 4-5, there are no leaves or roots. It is very weedy and can be difficult to eradicate.