(Asian Journal of Geographical Research., 2021) Ngare, Innocent Osoro; Koske, James Kibii; Gathuku, George Njagi
Parasitic plants proliferation globally is daunting and a threat to our ecosystems. In this study we
explore holoparasites with limitation to dodders (Cuscuta spp. & Cassytha filiformis). An experiment
was performed to ascertain anatomical and morphological characteristics of dodder capsule and its
stem. We present dodder infestation stages, development phases and close observable internal and
external microscopic features. A distinct haustorium trait of dodders is shown by micrographs. The
study finds that dodder seeds possess high ecological dispersal character with vast adaptability
through morphological analysis. This ramifies their ecological phenotypic plasticity. Externally,
dodder stems attack the host phloem through haustoria that suck nutrients from the sap weakening
it.