Re: shadegardens Digest - 8 Jul 2002 to 9 Jul 2002 (#2002-85)
- Subject: Re: [SG] shadegardens Digest - 8 Jul 2002 to 9 Jul 2002 (#2002-85)
- From: J*
- Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 10:53:59 -0400
There are actually a number of species of dodder, some native to the
US, some not. They all look pretty much the same -- yellow or
yellow-orange threadlike stems and very small whitish flowers. The
most common species in the northeast is Cuscuta gronovii, but the
dodder species are very hard to identify. If you want to know the
species, you'll need a Cuscuta expert -- or a thick botany manual, a
good hand lens, and a lot of patience.
As far as I know, all dodders are parasitic, though sometimes their
damage is insignificant. If you're worried, a google search on
"dodder" and "control" will turn up a lot of information.
Janet
It sounds like it could be giant dodder or strangleweed (Cuscuta
japonica). This plant is a parasitic plant that is lethal to vegetation.
It is on the USDA's Federal Noxious Weed List and is causing widespread
damage in the Houston TX region. I am surprised if you have it in NY
unless you purchased plants from TX this spring.
You can get more information and some photos at
http://www.houstonparks.org and click on ALERT.
Len Phillips
Editor of Hosta Magazine
Visit http://hostamagazine.com
--- "Mark D. Shulman" <MDShulman@AOL.COM> wrote:
Hi Folks:
I have a string like, curling, yellow vine, about 1/8 inch thick, with
insignificant leaves, growing quickly in a shady area. It is covering
some
plants and the ground and grows very fast. Anyone have a clue as to what
this
is?
Mark, Woodstock, NY
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