Dodder (Cuscuta) is a parasitic plant, the only genus in the family Cuscutaceae (sometimes placed in the family Convolvulaceae) in the order Solanales. A dodder seed sprouts, grows a short root and a long stem, and starts searching for a host. When it finds one, it twines around the host stem and sends roots in, called haustoria. It grows branches, which twine around neighboring stems, resulting in what looks like a mess of spaghetti. Dodder has no chlorophyll, so it must find a host or die.
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