Japanese dodder: Cuscuta japonica (Solanales: Cuscutaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

Japanese dodder	USDA PLANTS Symbol: CUJA U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Vines Forbs/Herbs
Cuscuta japonica Choisy

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Solanales: Cuscutaceae

Japanese dodder is an annual, parasitic vine that has recently been introduced into the United States and is listed as a Federal Noxious Weed. The many-branching stems are fleshy, circular, and pale yellow with red spots and striations. Leaves are minute and scale-like. Flowers are abundant, pale yellow, sessile and appear from August to October. Many species of dodder, some native and some exotic, occur in the United States. Japanese dodder parasitizes host plants by penetrating the vascular tissue of the host with structures called haustoria. Severe infestations can kill host plants. Japanese dodder is native to Asia and several infestations have recently been found in Texas, Florida, and South Carolina.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
Federal Noxius Weed Inspection Guide - USDA APHIS PPQ
New Pest Advisory Group Data Sheet - USDA APHIS PPQ
South Carolina Infestation - Clemson University Regulatory and Public Service Programs
Texas Infestation - Texas Forest Service
Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Plant(s); Kim Camilli, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Kim Camilli, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Kim Camilli, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Kim Camilli, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; Kim Camilli, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Removing an infested tree Victor Cordova, City of Houston, Urban Forestry Division, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Severe infestation Victor Cordova, City of Houston, Urban Forestry Division, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State(s) Where Reported invasive.
Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database.

Invasive Listing Sources:

South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council