Dodder Alert!

Japanese Dodder
(cuscuta japonica)

Photo from Contra Costa County Website

Japanese dodder is a leafless, bright yellow parasitic vine.

Long, spaghetti-like strands form dense tangles on other plants. They suck nutrients from host plants and can eventually kill them.

This parasite threatens gardens, parks, wild areas, and orchards. It attacks many plants. Oak, willow, ivy, blackberry, plum, apple, laurel, clematis, fennel, and coyote brush are just a few.

Japanese dodder grows fast and spreads easily.

Growing up to 6 inches a day, it reaches from one plant to others nearby. Fragments carried by wind, water, people, or birds also start new tangles. After dying back in winter, it grows back strongly in spring.

To kill the parasite, the host plant usually has to be cut to the roots and killed. All fragments of vine and host plant must be buried in landfill (not composted).

Please help control Japanese dodder!

The state is working to eradicate this pest but your help is needed to locate infestations.