What is Japanese dodder?
• An exotic, potentially invasive parasitic vine recently introduced to California. • Broad host plant range, from annual herbaceous plants to woody trees and shrubs. • Rapid growth: up to six inches per day! • Reproduces vegetatively (through stem fragments) and by seed. • Native to Asia. • Probably introduced via Asian immigrants or visitors as an herbal remedy. What does Japanese dodder look like? • Download the Japanese dodder images (PDF) • Download the Japanese dodder flyer – English (PDF) • Download the Japanese dodder poster – English (PDF) • Download the Japanese dodder flyer – Hmong (PDF) • Download the Japanese dodder poster – Hmong (PDF) • Vibrant yellow-green to gold leafless vine. • Robust, round, twining stems that are fleshy and/or stout (1 – 3 mm in diameter), possibly with small red to purplish spots. Mature stems are comparable in size to cooked spaghetti. • Unlikely to have flowers (normal flowering season is August – October). • If flowers are found, they will be s
