Cuscuta japonica

Common Name: Japanese dodder

Family: Cuscutaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 11-4

Growth Habit: Parasitic vine

Origin: Japan

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes

Introduction Date: 1943

IFAS Assessment:

• North: PROHIBITED & INVASIVE
• Central: PROHIBITED & INVASIVE
• South: PROHIBITED & INVASIVE

Description

Leafless, parasitic vine, 1-3 mm in diameter yellow-gold in color. Thick spaghetti-like stems spreading over large shrubs and small trees. Flowers are small, pale yellow, on short dense spikes.

Habitat

Disturbed sites

Comments

Vouchered from Gadsden Co only. Listed as federal noxious weed. Known from several other states. Dispersed by seed (water, soil disturbance, machinery) and vegetatively through stem fragmentation.

Control Methods

• Manual: Mechanical: Conduct a prescribed fire after the chemical treatment to kill seeds on the soil surface (Bugwood Network).
• Chemical: Foliar (glyphosate, Bugwood Network)
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

Note: Monitor for seedling germination and treat with chemicals (Bugwood Network).

References

Floridata. 2013. Cuscuta spp. http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cusc_spp.cfm. Accessed on December 4, 2013.

Oregon Department of Agriculture. 2013. ODA Plant Programs, Noxious Weed Control: Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica). http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/plant/weeds/Pages/profile_japanesedodder.aspx. Accessed on December 4, 2013.

University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. 2013. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica Choisy). http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5446. Accessed on December 4, 2013.