Bayshore/ Dodder on Iva frutescens

COMMON NAME: Dodder

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Common Dodder, Angel’s Hair, Lover’s Knot, Lovevine

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cuscuta gronovii

FAMILY: Cuscutaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Parasitic annual

HEIGHT: Aggressive vine

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to mid-October

FRUITING TIME: Late August to mid-October

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Florida ~ Statewide in NJ outside the Pine Barrens ~ Eight species of Cuscuta grow in NJ; C. gronovii is the most common.

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems slender to coarse, non-green, often yellow or orange ~ Flowers very small and occur in dense clusters, stalks ~ Leaves very small and scale-like

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Cuscutaceae family commonly called the Dodder Family consists of a single genus and 150 species of parasitic twining herbs.  This species of Dodder is a parasite on many woody and herbaceous plants and is found in moist, low ground. The species (gronovii) is from Jan Fredrik Gronovius, 1690-1762 (teacher of Linnaeus).  Gronovius was a Dutch botanist who authored/published lists of John Clayton’s American plants in  the Flora Virginica (1762). The Dodder vine was used by Pawnee maidens to determine if her suitor was sincere.  A girl, with thoughts of the young man in mind, tossed the vine over her shoulder into weeds of host species.  The second day after she returned to see if the Dodder had attached itself to the host.  If so, she was assured of her lover’s sincerity and if not, she was warned not to trust him.  This was a custom of other young people, thus the names Lover’s Knot and Lovevine. In the 1st century AD, Dioscorides noted in Materia Medica that another plant in this genus Cuscuta epithymum could be combined with honey to purge “black bile” and lift a melancholy humor.  Presently not used for its medicinal properties.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.