Dodder Symptoms on Alfalfa and Sweet Clover
Dodder (parasitic plant - Cuscuta planiflora): This yellowish
parasitic plant that has no leaves twists around the stems of host
plants. Suckers or haustoria of dodder penetrate the host tissue
and withdraw nutrients for their own use. It usually occurs in
spots in the field. Seed produced by dodder are similar in size
and color to those of alfalfa. This is how the plant usually
becomes distributed from one area of the county to another.
Seed fields should be screened carefully for occurrence of this
parasitic plant and infested areas should be burned prior to
harvest.
May, 1996
