Title: Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L.

Scientific name:

Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L.

Common name(s):

common dodder, field dodder, dodder, alfalfa dodder



Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Dodders grow under a wide range of environmental conditions (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). They are parasitic weeds that affect a wide range of broad-leaved plants including lucerne and several vegetables (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Dodders invade lowland grassland and grassy woodland, riparian vegetation, freshwater wetland (seasonal) and saline and subsaline wetland (Carr et al.1992).



Distribution:



Original source via CABI


Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT


1. Germination requirements? Seeds germinate in spring, summer and autumn, but mostly in late spring, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

2. Establishment requirements? Requires host. Can grow in shade, (Khanna et al, 1976; See DAS (1976) p. 3).

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in minor disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. riparian), as well as vigorously growing crops, (Carr et al, 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE


4. Life form? Twinning parasitic annual herbs – climber/creeper.

5. Allelopathic properties? None described.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Consumed by herbivores – unsure of response/palatability, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Morsesyan & Azaryan, 1973).

7. Normal growth rate? Rapid growth rate = to Orobanche aegyptiaca/ramosa, (Zerman & Saghir, 1995; Abu-Irmaileh & Thanabi, 1998).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolerant of drought (occurs in Sonoran desert), frost (occurs in Finland). Small seed would aid long distance dispersal. Checklist of the vascular plants of Finland (http:www.helsinki…). Also presumably water logging (occurs in riparian habitats) – host tol. Of w/1 GRIN (Carr et al, 1992).

REPRODUCTION


9. Reproductive system? Reproducing by seed. Can also produce new individuals by asexual means, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; DAS, 1976).

10. Number of propagules produced? “Seed production is prolific and up to 16,000 seeds have been recorded from individual plants”, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

11. Propagule longevity? Seeds may remain dormant in the soil for at least 5 years. “Many (seeds) will remain dormant in the soil for years". As long as 10 years according to Menke (1954) (cited in DAS 1976). Stated to remain viable for > 60 years. (Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Ag. Fisheries and Food), (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Robbins et al, 1951).

12. Reproductive period? Annual. Monoculture not formed because requires presence of host plant, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Seeds may be set when plants are only 3 weeks old, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

DISPERSAL


14. Number of mechanisms? Farm equipment, water, animals, (external & internal), (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; DAS, 1976).

15. How far do they disperse? Can be transported “great distances”. Such as: “Seeds of dodder pass through animals in a viable state and seedlings have been observed growing in droppings of cows, sheep, goats and kangaroos. Seeds are also known to be spread in mud on the feet of birds”, (DAS, 1976; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).


Impact Assessment

RECREATION


1. Restrict human access? A twining parasitic annual herb with thread-like stems and no root system. It would not restrict human access, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

2. Reduce tourism? The plant produces a dense mass of stems coloured yellow, green or pink. Its presence is obvious and would have a major negative effect on the visual aesthetic of an area, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

3. Injurious to people? The plant does not present any spines or burrs. It is not known to be toxic to humans and seedlings have been observed growing in droppings of cows, sheep, goats and kangaroos, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

4. Damage to cultural sites? Its presence would present a moderate visual effect. It would not have any negative impact on the structure of a site, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

ABIOTIC


5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

7. Increase soil erosion? Parasitises existing plants covering them in a dense mass of stems; unlikely to affect soil erosion, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

8. Reduce biomass? Produces dense mats covering host plants. Replaces biomass, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

9. Change fire regime? Low growing annual that does not produce significant organic material. No evidence of this plant contributing to an increase in the frequency of fire risk.

COMMUNITY HABITAT


10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Riparian woodland (E); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Goldfieds; VH CLIMATE potential. “They…affect a wide range of broad-leaved plants…[and] grow under a wide range of environmental conditions.” “Severe yield reductions occur when crops are infested.” Major displacement of forbs, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 2003).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Hillcrest herb-rich woodland (D); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Goldfieds; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above.

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? Does not appear likely to occur in any low value EVC in Victoria.

11. Impact on structure? “They…affect a wide range of broad-leaved plants…[and] grow under a wide range of environmental conditions.” “It is seldom found on woody plants, grasses, cereals.” It reduces crop yields severely. Potential to affect the majority of the ground and mid strata, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 2003).

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA


13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? It affects a wide range of broad-leaved plants, but generally does not parasitise grasses. Animals will graze the plant. May have a minor impact on the habitat of native fauna, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

15. Benefits fauna? Seedlings have been found growing in kangaroo droppings. Minor food source, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

16. Injurious to fauna? Cattle and horses forced to eat the plant often develop digestive upsets, (Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 2003).

PEST ANIMAL


17. Food source to pests? No evidence to suggest pest animals use the plant as a source of food.

18. Provides harbor? An annual that forms a dense mass of stems, it may provide limited harbor for rabbits, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

AGRICULTURE


19. Impact yield? “Severe yield reductions occur when crops are infested with golden dodder.”, (Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 2003).

20. Impact quality? “Infested areas are often quarantined…” “Lucerne or hay containing golden dodder seeds or plant parts may not be sold or removed from the property.” Produce rejected for sale, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, 2003).

21. Affect land values? “Severe yield reductions occur when crops are infested with golden dodder.” “Infested areas are often quarantined, causing considerable financial loss and inconvenience.” Potential negative impact on agricultural production would seriously affect land value, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

22. Change land use? “When dodder is removed from agricultural land, the area must be sown to resistant plants, such as cereals or pasture grasses, and not resown to susceptible crops for at least 5 years.”, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

23. Increase harvest costs? Not viable to harvest crop. No increase in harvest costs.

24. Disease host/vector? “Dodders transmit diseases in certain crops.”, (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).




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Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.






Attachments:
common dodder via ala.JPG
distribution_map (22).png
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Date: 19 October 2009; 9:58:50 AM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj