What is the orange spaghetti that is covering the desert plants?
Reports have been flowing into the County Agriculture Department of a plant resembling a stringy orange pasta covering native plants in the desert. This plant is called Dodder, a member of the Cuscuta species. It is a parasitic native plant that occurs in our area, but usually to a lesser degree than we are observing this year.
Higher than normal moisture is the most likely culprit in why we are seeing more Dodder. The university of California Agriculture and Natural Resources explains, “Dodder flowers from late spring through fall, depending on the species, but seed set is highest in late summer and fall. Seed production generally begins near the site of initial attachment and proceeds outward. Dodder is a prolific seed producer; each plant is capable of producing several thousand seeds. Generally only about 5% of the seed germinates the year following its production; however, the remainder can remain dormant, yet viable, in the soil for more than 20 years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.”
Environmental conditions appear to be favorable this year, and we can expect to see a lot of dodder in the desert this summer. There is very little than can be done to manage this native species and herbicides are ineffective because they will also kill the host plant. As environmental conditions return to normal there will be less of this parasite in the landscape.
Dodder is something you want to keep out of your yard. If you are inclined to wander through the desert where it is growing, be sure to check your pants and shoes for any hitchhiking seeds. You should also brush off your pet companions before turning them loose into your yard. Once it’s established in a landscape, it can be hard to remove.
For more information contact the Inyo and Mono County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 760-873- 7860 or [email protected] or email the Farm Advisor at [email protected].
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(From Inyo and Mono County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office)
