Compact Dodder
Cuscuta compacta
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–48" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 23 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Compact dodder is an unusual parasitic vine that lacks chlorophyll and appears as tangled masses of thin, orange or yellow stems. It attaches to host plants through specialized structures and derives all its nutrients from them, eventually weakening or killing the host.
In an HOA neighborhood
Compact Dodder takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Parasitic nature damages other landscape plants
- Creates tangled, unkempt appearance
- Considered a noxious weed in many areas
Wildlife value
This plant provides minimal wildlife value and is generally considered more of a pest than a beneficial species in cultivated landscapes.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Compact Dodder fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.