This parasitic, twining annual herb covers other low vegetation, often over large areas (C). Identification to species can only be done by experts using a microscope. This plant starts to grow from roots, which wither away when the tough, greenish stems (B) attach to host plants and draw their nourishment from them. The plants discovered in Mormon Hollow had greenish-colored flowers in clusters (A). Images (D,E, F) were taken in July 2012 along the Boardwalk in Fontenelle Forest.
Considered rare in Fontenelle Forest – only seen seldom during mid-summer in moist habitat. The one Dodder species found and photographed in Mormon Hollow chose host vegetation 1-2 feet tall. It completely inundated this vegetation and died back completely soon after its tiny flowers had wilted.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.