Cuscuta epithymum aka Clover Dodder

Cuscuta epithymum is an annual parasite in the bindweed family, Convolvulaceae. Its common names include lesser dodder, thyme dodder, and fairies' hair. Kew gives its native range as Macaronesia and Europe east to Xinjiang. It is native to Britain and Ireland. This temperate plant depends on living hosts for its food. Heather and gorse are among the hosts it uses.

Its fine stems climb and wind around nearby host plants. They form dense tangles rather than a self-supporting bush. Stems can reach 3.3 feet (1 metre), depending on available hosts. This stem length does not give a fixed garden height. The stems may be pink, red, yellow, or purple. Tiny scales take the place of true leaves. The plant lacks chlorophyll and draws nutrients from its hosts. Its life cycle takes one year.

Small flowers grow in tight groups along the stems. Each flower has a bell shape and is white or pink. Flowering runs from June to October, spanning summer and autumn. Ants, bees, and flies are its main pollinators. The plant spreads chiefly through seed. Seeds can lie dormant in soil for several years. After sprouting, seedlings must find a host soon or die. This need makes suitable host plants central to its survival.

The RHS recommends full sun and sandy or loamy soil. Soil may be acid or neutral and must drain well. Its guidance includes moist soil, yet also describes dry, nutrient-poor habitats. These include heathland, grassland, and coastal dunes with suitable hosts. Both exposed and sheltered sites suit its listed growing conditions. The RHS rates its UK hardiness as H5. It lists the species for coastal sites and wildlife gardens. It needs no pruning, and pests and diseases seldom trouble it.

Plants For A Future flags this species as a weed. Its parasitic habit matters when choosing a place for it. That source lists no known edible uses or other practical uses. It records herbal use for liver, gallbladder, and urinary complaints. These records describe traditional uses, not proof that treatments work. It also warns against use by people with haemorrhoids. Although it lists no known hazards, that does not establish safety. The evidence gives no basis for treating it as food.