The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1913-02-07
CHARACTER OF D0DDER
Depends on Host for Support and
It's Food Supply
At First Growth 10 Apparently lnsia
n%tdcant. but With Rapid Increase
In Branching Soon Becomes
Hard to Control.
(By r.. H. HIII.MAN.)

Dodder 10 q parasite deriving it,
food not from the soil. but directly
from the crop plants which 1t infests
In this respect 1t 10 unlike the ordi
nary weeds of the farm. 1t starts
from a seed. at first deriving its
nourishment from the food supply
stored within the seed. During this
period 1t develops a slender, thread.
like and leafess stem. 1t Is the habit
OF the dodder TO climb by twining. ano
the young stem swats about in search
OF a support. Failing to find a suit.
able support it dies when the fooc
stored within the seed is exhausted
II a suitable support, such as the
stem. leaf stems, or eve leaf blades
OF a clover. Is found. the dodder rap
idly twines about 1t, sending out from
its stem numerous suckers which
penetrate the tissues of the plant upon
which 1t rests. termed the host plant.
The dodder Is subsequently dependent
On its host for both its mechanical
support and its TODD supply. The twin
ing Of the dodder stem and the cling.
ing effect Of the suckers secure the
mechanical support necessary. while
the penetration of the suckers to the
sap-conveying tissues Of the host
plant insures direct communication
with the food prepared by the latter
for its own use.
After becoming established On the
host plant the part Of the dodder
nlanf ho14Ou Tho rr{~t - OAu nAnk
dies. Above this point the plant
makes rapid growth. branching 70
peatedly. its branches ultimately
forming q tangled mass of threadlike
flaments when under conditions
favorable for luxuriant growth. At
first the growth is apparently insiG-
nihcant. but with the rapid increase
in the branching the total growth
soon become very conspicuous, and
In some instances progresses with OK.
ceptional rapidity. rendering tn con
troll very difficult.
Dodder depends on prepared food.
Independent food manufacture be-
ome unnecessary. and consequently
the plant Is devoid Of leaves. as we'll
~ VI ioot, ~ usually tb CVolu vi
the green color common to other
plants. Certain species are strongly
tinged with green. however. and
doubtless are capable Of food produc-
ton TO some extent.
Sections of the dodder stems re.
moved from the main plant retain
their vitality and power Of coiline
aud nr0lltrip0 cY,oEnrc fCp cnunray
days at least under favorable condi-
tons. In consequence Of this. If
! pieces OF plants are allowed to re-
main in contact with n suitable host
plant for a short time they become at
tached to the latter and form new
centers Of growth. In this way new
patches Of the pest may become es-
',hliahed in the field.
Doldcr plants are to be distinguish
cd by their slender. threadlike steams.
"hich are lemon yellow. orange. or
"i"k They may appear to confne
t''"ir attack to a single plant IN a
"'ace or may spread uniformly from
liant to plant. either near the ground
~ from the tops Of the plants. Small
"hite flowers. mostly in clusters. are
produced by midsummer The flowers
may be few and scattered. or. owing
: thrifty growth, they may be more
generous and. becoming crowded,
form dense lunches.
Seeds ripen throughout the central
limited States from the middle Of .Tuly
into September. As a rule. the dod-
doris are profuse seed producers. but
ICED production Is strongly Influenced
by the character n the host, Its
-"""trent as p crop, and by the ron.
fi'ion Of the weather during the flow.
"ring season OF the dodder