Dodder Infesting Alfalfa (Cuscuta suaveolens)

Dodder is a parasitic stemmy yellow-colored weed that has no chlorophyll of its own.  It germinates during early summer and attaches itself to a growing alfalfa plant within a few days and obtains its food from the host plant.  Dodder produces seed that are the same size as alfalfa, and its seed can remain dormant in soil for many years.