PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Knotweed Dodder (Cuscuta polygonorum)

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Photo by USDA-NRCS

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Knotweed Dodder (Cuscuta polygonorum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in wet-mesic prairies, coastal plain marshes, the margins of commercial cranberry bogs, and, rarely, floodplain forests. Blooming occurs from late-July through late-September, fruiting September through October. The optimal identification period for this species is late-July through October.

 
 
 

Knotweed dodder is an herbaceous vine with an orange stem and an inflorescence that is not rope-like. It has white, 4-parted, flowers, untied sepals, and subtending bracts are absent. Petals are acutely tipped, at least as long as corolla tube, the styles are short. Its fruits are capsules with yellow-brown seeds. Alternate, minute scales take the place of leaves.

It can be distinguished from other Cuscuta by its very short styles.

Blooming occurs from late-July through late-September, fruiting September through October.

Annual. The optimal identification period for this species is late-July through October.

It is reported to be observed parasitizing a wide variety of species including Bidens connata, B cernua, Polygonum coccineum, P lapathifolium, Penthorum sedoides, Lycopus americanus, Panicum capillare, Setaria glauca, Rorippa islandica, and Hypericum boreale.

Knotweed dodder prefers moist, sandy soils and is found in wet-mesic prairies, coastal plain marshes, the margins of commercial cranberry bogs, and, rarely, floodplain forests.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Because this plant is an annual, work may safely be conducted before the plants emerge or after they have developed mature seeds.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.