|
Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
|
Oklahoma Alfalfa |
|
|
|
Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
|
Oklahoma Alfalfa |
|
|
Dodder |
|
| COMMON NAME: | Dodder |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME: | Cuscuta suaveolens Ser. |
| TYPE: | Annual Warm-season Weed |
| DESCRIPTION | |
| Germination: | May to June. |
| Reproduction: | By seeds July to September. |
| Stems: | String-like, smooth, yellow or orange, branching extensively, forming dense masses up to 10 feet across. |
| Leaves: | Alternate, reduced to scales, not green. |
| Flowers/ Inflorescence: |
Cymose clusters, globe-shaped, loose. |
| Fruit: | Capsule, globe-shaped, 2-celled, 4-seeded. |
FOUND: |
Dodder is a parasitic plant without chlorophyll. It obtains its food by twining around host plants (clovers, alfalfa, and lespedeza), and sending root-like projections into their stems. It causes a problem in seed-fields since it is difficult to remove dodder seeds from alfalfa seeds. |
CONTROL: |
Excellent control may be obtained by close-cutting at harvest before seed production and treating with a contact type herbicide like GRAMOXONE EXTRA within 5 days of cutting. |
| Jim Stritzke Former Alfalfa Weed Control Specialist Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Oklahoma State University |
|
