Golden dodder (Cuscuta campestris)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Cuscuta campestris Yunck.
Common name(s):	golden dodder

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

Widespread on leguminous plants (Beadle et al. 1982). Naturalised on a wide range of native and introduced hosts in coastal vine thickets on the
Dampier peninsula and in the Kimberley ranges (Hussey et al. 1997). Amongst low trees, coastal heaths and shrub lands, river flats, disturbed areas, plains, coastal dunes, grasslands on pindan sands (Spooner 2008). Widespread in both temperate and subtropical ecosystems (Benvenuti et al. 2005). Golden dodder is a parasitic herb, which requires a host for establishment; seedlings will only survive a few days without a host (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It is a particular threat in medium to high rainfall and irrigation areas (DAWA undated).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Broadacre cropping; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; damp forest; wet forest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; ironbark/box; riverine woodland/forest

Colours indicate possibility of Cuscuta campestris infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	Twining herb or climber growing to 0.5 metres tall (Spooner 2008). Habitats include coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). Grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). Restriction of access by Cuscuta campestris will be dependant on the size of the host plant, but dense mats have the potential to at least block out human traffic. - Low nuisance value. Impedes individual access; unable to walk to waterways.	ml	m
2. Reduce tourism?	Twining herb or climber growing to 0.5 metres tall (Spooner 2008). Habitats include coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). - Minor effects to aesthetics.	ml	m
3. Injurious to people?	No evidence of injurious characteristics. - No effect.	l	l
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Habitats include coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). Aesthetically, Cuscuta campestris may cause a negative response, but structurally, this weed should not cause any damage. - Moderate visual effect	ml	m
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris is neither an aquatic nor a riparian weed, therefore unlikely to interrupt water flow. - Little impact on water flow.	l	m
6. Impact water quality?	Coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). Cuscuta campestris is neither an aquatic nor a riparian weed, and there is no evidence of toxicity therefore unlikely to interrupt water quality. - No noticeable effects to either dissolved O₂ or light levels.	l	m
7. Increase soil erosion?	Cuscuta campestris does not have roots; it lives off of a host plant (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992; Roth 2002). The erosion rate would not be improved by Cuscuta campestris, but neither should it increase erosion rates. - Low probability of large scale soil movement.	l	mh
8. Reduce biomass?	Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). It can survive through winter (when existing on a perennial host) (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Propagation is through prolific stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Biomass may increase.	l	mh
9. Change fire regime?	Cuscuta campestris is a parasitic weed (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). Impacts to the fire regime are unknown, but increased stems and vines may increase fuel load, potentially increasing the chance of fire. - Small effects on fire risk.	l	m
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Ridged Plains Mallee (E); CMA = Mallee; Bioregion = Murray Mallee; VH CLIMATE potential. Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). It can survive through winter (when existing on a perennial host) (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Propagation is through prolific stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Major displacement of some dominant species within a strata/layer (or some dominant species within different layers).	mh	h
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Coastal Headland Scrub (D/R); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion = Bridgewater; VH CLIMATE potential. Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). It can survive through winter (when existing on a perennial host) (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Propagation is through prolific stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer.	ML	h
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Coastal Headland Scrub (LC); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion = Bridgewater; VH CLIMATE potential. Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). It can survive through winter (when existing on a perennial host) (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Propagation is through prolific stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Major displacement of some dominant species within a strata/layer (or some dominant species within different layers).	mh	h
11. Impact on structure?	Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Cuscuta campestris grows in swarming tangles of twisting vines around other plants’ stems (Roth 2002). It can survive through winter (when existing on a perennial host) (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Propagation is through prolific stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Minor effect on >60% of the floral strata or major effect on <60% of the floral strata.	mh	mh
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). - Impacts to threatened flora are uncertain.	mh	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Impacts to threatened fauna are unknown.	mh	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Overseas [outside Australia] infested fodder is claimed to cause scouring and sometimes death of cattle, losses are not significant in Australia (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Minor effects to fauna species, reduction in habitat.	ml	m
15. Benefits fauna?	Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). May provide some assistance (as shelter) to desirable species.	mh	m
16. Injurious to fauna?	Parasitic, twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). Overseas [outside Australia] infested fodder is claimed to cause scouring and sometimes death of cattle, losses are not significant in Australia (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - No effect.	l	mh
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	Overseas [outside Australia] infested fodder is claimed to cause scouring and sometimes death of cattle, losses are not significant in Australia (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). -Provides food for one or more minor pest species.	ml	mh
18. Provides harbor?	Twining herb or climber (Spooner 2008). A parasitic climber/herb (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Height is limited to host plant and surrounding vegetation (Roth 2002). Depending on host plant, this dodder species has potential to provide some shelter for pest animals. - Doesn’t provide harbour for serious pest species, but may provide for minor pest species.	mh	mh
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Dodder seed readily contaminates lucerne and clover seed. Crop yields are reduced by dodders, mainly by absorbing food material from the host and also through shading by the dense mats of stems. Infested areas are often quarantined, causing considerable financial loss and inconvenience. (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Serious impacts on quantity (e.g. >20% reduction). Unviable to harvest crop/stock.	h	mh
20. Impact quality?	A parasitic annual herb, dodder seed readily contaminates lucerne and clover seed. Of commercial crops, it has been noted on lucerne, tomato, zucchini, carrot, lupin, celery, onion and lettuce Infested areas are often quarantined, causing considerable financial loss and inconvenience. (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Serious impacts on quality, (e.g. >20% reduction). – Produce may be rejected for sale or export.	h	mh
21. Affect land value?	Crop yields are reduced by dodders, mainly by absorbing food material from the host and also through shading by the dense mats of stems. Infested areas are often quarantined, causing considerable financial loss and inconvenience. (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Major significance >10%	h	mh
22. Change land use?	A dodder infestation in lucerne crops near Tamworth NSW was abandoned as it could not be harvested; the land is now only used for grazing (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). A large infestation of dodder may mean that the land is no longer profitable and it may instigate a change in the landscape, as illustrated in Parsons and Cuthbertson (1992), above. - Downgrading of the priority land use, to one with less agricultural return.	mh	mh
23. Increase harvest costs?	“Separation of dodder from commercial seed is difficult” Crop yields are reduced by dodders, mainly by absorbing food material from the host and also through shading by the dense mats of stems. Infested areas are often quarantined, causing considerable financial loss and inconvenience. (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Minor increases in cost of harvesting, more time and labour would be required.	mh	mh
24. Disease host/vector?	Brunt et al. (1996) do not list Cuscuta campestris as a host to any disease/virus. - Little or no host.	l	m

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Seeds germinate in spring summer and autumn, mostly in late spring (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Requires natural seasonal disturbances to germinate, such as seasonal temperatures and rainfall.	mh	mh
2. Establishment requirements?	Golden dodder is a parasitic herb, which requires a host for establishment; seedlings will only survive a few days without a host (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It is a particular threat in medium to high rainfall and irrigation areas (DAWA undated). Widespread on leguminous plants (Beadle et al.1982). It mainly parasitizes Lucerne but also attacks some horticultural crops, legumes and broadleaved weeds, seldom found on woody plants, grasses or cereals (DAWA undated). Establishment requirements are likely to be similar to host species. - Requires more specific requirements for establishment.	ml	mh
3. How much disturbance is required?	Coastal heaths and shrublands, river flats, disturbed areas; amongst low trees, tall sclerophyllous shrublands, grasslands coastal areas (dunes), plains and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2008). - Establishes in relatively intact or only minor disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. riverine, grasslands and open woodlands).	mh	m
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Twining annual herb or climber (Spooner 2008). - Climber/creeper.	ml	m
5. Allelopathic properties?	None described Rice (1984). - None.	l	l
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	Lightly grazed, used as fodder, although suspected as stock poison (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Consumed but not preferred.	l	m
7. Normal growth rate?	“Twining stems grow rapidly over the host plant” (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). “Amazingly fast growth” (Roth 2002). - Rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form.	h	mh
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	Occurs on hosts in coastal heaths dunes (Spooner 2008). Common on irrigated areas (Lazarides et al. 1997). Stress tolerances are unknown, most likely dependant on the host species.	m	l
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Propagates by prolific seed and stem segments (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Both sexual and vegetative reproduction.	h	mh
10. Number of propagules produced?	Seed production is prolific and up to 16000 seeds have been recorded from individual plants (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Above 2000.	h	mh
11. Propagule longevity?	Many seeds have a hard coat and may remain dormant in the soil for at least 5 years (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Greater than 25% of seeds survive 5 years and vegetatively reproduces.	l	mh
12. Reproductive period?	Annual (Spooner 2008) requires presence of a host plant to survive (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Mature plant produces propagules for only one year.	l	mh
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Annual (Spooner 2008). - Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules or vegetative propagules become separate individuals in under a year.	h	m
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Most dispersal is by seed, but stem fragments can be spread on farm equipment or by water. Dodder readily contaminates lucerne and clover seed, and the sowing of such seed has been the principle means of dispersal throughout the world. Seeds are also known to be spread in mud on the feet of birds (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Propagules dispersed by water, attachment to animals and machinery, or as a contaminant to agricultural produce.	mh	mh
15. How far do they disperse?	Most dispersal is by seed, but stem fragments can be spread on farm equipment or by water. Dodder readily contaminates lucerne and clover seed, and the sowing of such seed has been the principle means of dispersal throughout the world. Seeds are also known to be spread in mud on the feet of birds (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). - Few propagules will reach greater than one kilometre but many will reach 200-1000 metres.	mh	mh

References

Beadle NCW, Evans OD, Carolin RC (1982) Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed Publishers.

Brunt, A.A., Crabtree, K., Dallwitz, M.J., Gibbs, A.J., Watson, L. and Zurcher, E.J. (eds.) (1996 onwards). `Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database. Version: 20th August 1996.' Available at http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/ (verified 28 April 2009).

DAWA (undated) Department of Agriculture Western Australia Declared Plants List.

Lazarides M, Cowley K, Hohnen P (1997) CSIRO Handbook of Australian Weed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.

Parsons WT and Cuthbertson EG. (2001) Noxious Weeds of Australia. 2nd Ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Rice EL. (1984) Allelopathy. Academic Press, Inc. Orlando.

Roth S (2001) Weeds Friend or Foe? Published by Carrol and Brown, London.

Spooner A (2008) in FloraBase the Western Australian Flora. Available at http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/13732 (verified 28 May 2009).

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2008) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 28 May 2009).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 28 May 2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 28 May2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 28 May 2009).

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 28 May 2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 28 May 2009).

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. (2003) Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria. Available at http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_information/viclist (verified 28 May 2009).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

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