THIS week, Hillcrest Conservancy takes a look at the Fringed dodder as part of its series of articles on alien invasive plants to help the community to identify and eradicate them from their gardens.
The Fringed dodder’s scientific name is Cuscuta suaveolens but it is also known as Lucerne dodder, Umankunkunku (isiZulu) or Unyendenyende (isiZulu).
Description: It is a slender, leafless, parasitic plant with yellowish or whitish, twining stems up to 2m high and forming dense patches up to 6m across. It has loose clusters of whitish flowers 3-4mm long from November to April. It has greenish-yellow fruits.
Where does this species come from? North America
Where in SA is it a problem? This alien invader is more common in the Gauteng area but is already a problem in KZN. This species was introduced from North America.
What is its invasive status in South Africa? This is a NEMBA – Category 1b and causes severe problems for farmers as it can affect the quality of crops particularly lucerne.
Why is it a problem? It invades a wide range of habitats, especially river banks, other moist sites and irrigated crop lands.
How does it spread? It is dispersed by seeds also pieces broken of the plant can be carried by water. When the crop is harvested it can also be spread.
This is possible as it was accidentally introduced into South Africa in cattle or horse fodder imported from America. Fringed dodder smothers and parasitises other plants of economic importance in agricultural croplands, particularly lucerne.
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