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Description
Cuscuta Japonica, commonly known as the Japanese Dodder, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the Cuscutaceae family. It is native to East Asia and can be found in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The plant is an annual, herbaceous vine that grows rapidly, wrapping itself around other plants and extracting nutrients and water from its host. The Japanese Dodder has thin, yellow, or orange stems that can reach up to 1 meter long. The plant produces small, white or pink flowers that bloom from July to September.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Cuscutaceae |
| Genus | Cuscuta |
Appearance
The Japanese Dodder has thin, thread-like stems that are yellow or orange in color. The stems can grow up to 1 meter long and wrap themselves around other plants. The plant produces small, white or pink flowers that bloom from July to September. The leaves of the plant are reduced to small scales that are located on the stems. The Japanese Dodder is a parasitic plant, and it does not have roots or chlorophyll.
Care Guide
Water
The Japanese Dodder does not require watering as it extracts water from its host plant.
Fertilization
The Japanese Dodder does not require fertilization as it extracts nutrients from its host plant.
Soil
The Japanese Dodder does not require soil as it grows on other plants.
Sunlight
The Japanese Dodder requires full sunlight to grow.
Hardiness Zones
The Japanese Dodder can grow in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Japanese Dodder is not known to have any common pests or diseases.
Habitat
The Japanese Dodder is native to East Asia and can be found in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The plant grows in open fields, along roadsides, and in disturbed areas. The Japanese Dodder is a parasitic plant that grows on other plants, and it does not require soil to grow.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Japanese Dodder harmful to its host plant?
A: Yes, the Japanese Dodder is a parasitic plant that extracts water and nutrients from its host plant, which can weaken and eventually kill the host plant.
Q: Can the Japanese Dodder be grown in a pot?
A: No, the Japanese Dodder cannot be grown in a pot as it requires a host plant to grow.
Q: Is the Japanese Dodder an invasive species?
A: Yes, the Japanese Dodder can be considered an invasive species as it can weaken and kill native plants.
Q: Can the Japanese Dodder be controlled?
A: Yes, the Japanese Dodder can be controlled by removing the plant from the host plant and destroying it. It is also important to monitor the area and remove any new growth.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants in the Cuscuta genus:
- Cuscuta Australis (Australian Dodder)
- Cuscuta Epilinum (Flax Dodder)
- Cuscuta Europaea (Greater Dodder)
- Cuscuta Gronovii (Common Dodder)
References
- Flora of China. (n.d.). Cuscuta japonica Choisy. Flora of China. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200014498
- USDA. (n.d.). Cuscuta japonica Choisy. Plants Database. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=CUJA
- University of Florida IFAS Extension. (n.d.). Cuscuta spp. Dodder. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP388
