The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-02-06
CHARACTER OF DoDDEH
Depends on Host for Support and
! It's Food Supply
~ First Growth 10 Apparently ensse
Rif'cant, but With Rapid inersass
/ n Branching Soon eseemss
Hard to Control.
(By r. HI. HII.LMAN,)

Dodder Is parasite deriving its
bOod not from the SOIL but directly
from the crop plants which It infests
In this respect 1t Is unlike the ordi
nary weeds OF the farm. 1t starts
from seed, at first deriving it's
hourishment from the food supply
stored within the seed. During this
period It develops . slender. thread.
like and leafess stem. 1t is the habit
pf the dodder to climb by twining and
the young stem swats about In search
bf support Failing to nnd q suit.
Able support 1t dies when the food
stored within the seed is exhausted.
u suitable support, such as the
stem, leaf stems, or even leaf blades
ri a clover, is found, the dodder rap.
IDLY twines about 1t, sending out from
its stem numerous suckers which
per etrate 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 food supply. The twin.
ing Of the dodder stem and the cling.
ing effect Of the suckers secure the
mechanical support necessary. while
Tie penetration of the suckers to the
Dap-conveying tissues Of the host
plant insures direct eommunication
with the food prepared BY tho latter
Tor ito own use. .,.. ...,...
After becoming established on the
host plant the part Of the dodder
plant below the point Of attachment
dies. Above this point the plant
makes rapid growth, branching re-
peatedly, its branches ultimately
forming tangled mass of threadlike
flaments when under conditions
favorable for luxuriant growth. At
FIRST the growth Is apparently insig-
nificant, but with the rapid increase
In the branching the total growth
soon become very conspicuous, and
In some instances progresses with ex-
ceptional rapidly, rendering its con-
troll very difficult.
Dodder depends on prepared food.
Independent food manufacture be-
comes unnecessary, and consequently
the plant Is devoid Of leaves, as well
rs Of root, and usually is devoid Of
the green color common to other
plants. Certain species are strongly
Hinged 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 coiling
and producing suckers for several
days at least under favorable condi-
lions. In consequence of this, If
pieces Of plants are allowed to re-
main In contact with a suitable host
plant for short time they become at
*ached to the latter and form new
centers of growth. In this way new
patches of the pest may become es-
ta,'iahe' n the field.
boo le' Ila' ts are to be distinguish
I'D ~ + Ill slender. threadlike steams,
who re lemon yellow. orange. or
pink. They may appear to conflne
their attack to single plant in q
place or may spread uniformly from
plant to plant, either near the ground
pr from the tops Of the plants. Small
white nowers, mostly in clusters, are
produced by midsummer. Tho flowers
may be few and scattered, OF, owing
10 thrifty growth, they may be more
numerous and, becoming crowded.
form dense punches. -.s, +-el
Seeds ripen throughout tho central
United States from the middle Of July
into September. Az Q rule, the dod.
hers are profuse seed producers. but
yeed production II strongly Influenced
By the character Of the host, it,
treatment as crop. and by tho con.
ditlon of the weather during the now.
er1ng season of the d0dder.