Parasitic weed

Golden Dodder Cuscuta campestris is a parasitic vine which is a weed in Enoggera catchment. It closely resembles the local native parasitic vine Cassytha filiformis Dodder Laurel. However, Golden Dodder stems are finer diameter and shorter in length than Dodder Laurel. Golden Dodder stems are less than 1 mm in diameter and grow up to 2 metres in length. Native plant Dodder Laurel stems are 1-3 mm in diameter and 3- 8 metres long. Weed Golden Dodder stems are a much stronger golden colour. Atlas of Living Australia map show the main distribution of Cuscuta campestris from South-East Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Brisbane City Council lists Golden Dodder as a minor environmental weed in south-eastern Queensland. Native to central North America Golden Dodder is a parasite of crops such as lucerne and herbaceous plants particularly the daisy family (Asteraceae). At Walton Bridge Reserve in The Gap, Golden Dodder has been observed growing on the much-worse weed Dyschoriste.  If growing on another weed treat with foliar spray herbicide.

Cuscuta campestris Warkworth, Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Photo: Tony Rodd CC BY-NC-SA 2.0