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Compact Dodder Cuscuta compacta

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cuscuta compacta var. adpressa
  • Cuscuta fruticum
  • Cuscuta glomerata var. adpressa
Phonetic Spelling
kus-KEW-tuh kom-PAK-tuh
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#twining vine#parasitic#weed#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#twining vine#parasitic#weed#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cuscuta
    Species:
    compacta
    Family:
    Convolvulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Small capsules with seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    This wildflower has clusters of tiny, white, lobed, bell-shaped flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    No leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem are orange to yellow with yarn-like stems twining around stems of surrounding plants.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Problems:
    Weedy