Convolvulaceae
Cuscuta campestris
Field Dodder
C
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
An annual, herbaceous parasitic vine with distinctive thread-like, yellowish-orange stems that coil around host plants. It lacks roots and true leaves, instead forming haustoria to extract nutrients and water from its host. Flowers are small, whitish, appearing in dense clusters, and develop into small, rounded, yellowish-orange capsules containing tiny seeds.
Growing notes
This plant is an obligate parasite, requiring a host for survival, and is considered a serious weed globally, including in Kenya. It spreads rapidly, with stems growing up to 7.5 cm per day and a single plant potentially covering a diameter of 3 metres or more. Its seeds can remain viable in soil for up to 10 years, making control challenging.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: unc.edu, illinoiswildflowers.info, wikipedia.org, levypreserve.org, plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.