Cuscuta (/ kʌsˈkjuːtə /), commonly known as dodder or amarbel, is a genus of over 201 species of yellow, orange, or red (rarely green) parasitic plants.

Dodder is a group of ectoparasitic plants with about 150 species in a single genus, Cuscuta, in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) or Cuscutaceae, depending on the classification …

Dodder, genus of about 145 species of leafless, twining, parasitic plants in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). They are widely distributed throughout the temperate and tropical …

Dodders are parasitic plants that steal nutrients and water from their hosts, by wrapping around them and piercing into them.

Dodder is an annual seed-bearing parasitic vine in the dodder family (formerly placed in the morning-glory family). Its thin, thread-like, yellow or orange stems grow rapidly entwining and …

Jul 18, 2025 · They belong to dodder—a stem parasite with a fascinating life history. It’s a plant that can see, smell, and even sweet-talk its host. A tangle of dodder grows by the roadside. …

Sep 15, 2025 · Dodder is characterized by its tangle of leafless, yellow to orange threadlike stems. The stems encircle host plants and steal nutrients and water from the host via modified …

Jul 1, 2020 · Thread like stems are yellow or orange and twine around host plants. Roots sustain the plant until it is 2-5 in long, and then the seedling attaches to a suitable host and the root …

Dodder has slender, twining or thread-like stems (Fig. 1) that vary from pale green to yellow or bright orange; the bright stems can be readily seen against the foliage of the host plants.

There are over 150 species of dodders (Cuscuta spp.) worldwide. A member of the Convolvulaceae plant family, dodders are annual parasitic plants that reproduce by seed.