Contents
Description
Cuscuta Pacifica, commonly known as the Pacific dodder, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It is a native of the western coast of North America, from Alaska to California. The plant has no roots and cannot produce its food, so it relies on other plants for survival. It wraps itself around host plants with its thin, yellow-orange stems to extract nutrients and water from them. The Pacific dodder can grow up to 1 meter in length and produce small, white or pink flowers in clusters.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Cuscuta |
Appearance
The Pacific dodder has thin, yellow-orange, thread-like stems that twine themselves around other plants. The leaves are reduced to small, scale-like structures that are barely visible. The plant produces small, white or pink flowers in clusters from June to September. The flowers are bell-shaped and have five petals. The Pacific dodder is a distinctive plant that is easy to recognize due to its unique appearance and parasitic nature.
Care Guide
The Pacific dodder is a parasitic plant that does not require any care. It obtains all its nutrients and water from the host plants it attaches to. However, it is essential to control the spread of the plant as it can harm other plants in the garden. The best way to control the Pacific dodder is by removing any infected plants and destroying them immediately.
Water
The Pacific dodder does not require any watering as it obtains all its water from the host plants.
Fertilization
The Pacific dodder does not require any fertilization as it obtains all its nutrients from the host plants.
Soil
The Pacific dodder does not require any soil as it attaches itself to host plants.
Sunlight
The Pacific dodder can grow in full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness Zones
The Pacific dodder can grow in hardiness zones 7 to 10.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Pacific dodder does not have any significant pests or diseases as it is a parasitic plant that relies on other plants for survival. However, it can harm other plants in the garden by reducing their growth and vigor.
Habitat
The Pacific dodder is a native of the western coast of North America, from Alaska to California. It grows in a wide range of habitats, including meadows, wetlands, and forests. It can attach itself to a variety of host plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Question and Answer
Q. How does the Pacific dodder obtain its nutrients and water?
A. The Pacific dodder is a parasitic plant that obtains its nutrients and water from the host plants it attaches to.
Q. Can the Pacific dodder harm other plants?
A. Yes, the Pacific dodder can harm other plants by reducing their growth and vigor.
Q. Does the Pacific dodder require any care?
A. No, the Pacific dodder does not require any care as it obtains all its nutrients and water from the host plants.
Q. How can you control the spread of the Pacific dodder?
A. The best way to control the spread of the Pacific dodder is by removing any infected plants and destroying them immediately.
Related Plants
- Cuscuta campestris
- Cuscuta epithymum
- Cuscuta exaltata
- Cuscuta gronovii
- Cuscuta pentagona
References
- “Cuscuta pacifica J.T. Howell.” Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 12 Aug. 2021.
- Chen, S. C., & Lu, C. Y. (2019). Cuscuta pacifica J. T. Howell (Convolvulaceae), a new record for Taiwan. Taiwania, 64(2), 163-166.
- Cuscuta pacifica. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2021, from https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/parasite/cuspac/all.html
