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Gronovius Dodder

Cuscuta gronovii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Gronovius Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii)
Photo: R. A. Nonenmacher / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–120" H × 12"–48" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CO and 41 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Dodder is a parasitic vine that lacks chlorophyll and appears as orange or yellow stringy stems that wrap around host plants. This unusual annual plant produces small clusters of white flowers from summer through early fall and survives by attaching to and drawing nutrients from other plants.

In an HOA neighborhood

Gronovius 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 kills desirable landscape plants
  • Stringy orange appearance looks diseased or dead
  • Considered a noxious weed in many areas

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract bees and beetles during the summer blooming period. As a native parasitic plant, it plays a role in natural ecosystem balance.

Common questions

How much sun does Gronovius Dodder need?
Gronovius Dodder grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Gronovius Dodder bloom?
Gronovius Dodder blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Gronovius Dodder native?
Gronovius Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CO and 41 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Gronovius Dodder attract?
Gronovius Dodder draws bees and beetles.
Is Gronovius Dodder HOA-friendly?
Gronovius Dodder takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Gronovius Dodder? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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