Dodder is likely the second most common parasitic vegetation here. Only mistletoe is more common. Yet, it is very rarely encountered within home gardens. When it does appear, it seems to do so spontaneously, with its source difficult or impossible to identify. Its many species can also be difficult to identify, since most are so visually similar. This species seems to be a bit greener than most, which are typically somewhat yellowish or even orangish. Only its genus of Cuscuta is known. If its wiry twining stems resemble those of bindweed, it is because the two are related. Unlike bindweed, dodder lacks, leaves, roots and perhaps a few other otherwise important parts that it does not need because it draws resources from its hosts, which, for this example, is red yucca. Most are yellowish or orangish because they do not need chlorophyll to photosynthesise for themselves while they rely on their hosts to do so for them. Dodder looks like something from science fiction. Not only does it parasitize its hosts, and exploit them for their resources, but it is also very invasive and persistent. Like mistletoe, it is difficult to remove completely from its hosts, and any small bits that remain regenerate efficiently. Its seed remain viable for many years. Even if visible dodder growth is completely eradicated, it may have tossed seed that can grow two decades later! Because dodder is parasitic and mingles so thoroughly with its hosts, herbicides are impractical for its eradication. Sometimes, infested host vegetation is too thoroughly infested to be salvaged. Dodder has an extensive host range, so can infest other species in the landscape even after original hosts are removed. Dodder may look interesting, but should not be allowed to grow wild. When removed, it should be disposed of rather than composted.
Tony Tomeo 
I have only seen this once here in the frozen north, whereas its relative, bindweed, is very common. It was growing in a public landscape on some small shrub–I think an evergreen. That whole bed is now completely empty except for a large virburnum at the back. Someone recognized it for what it was and knew its potential.
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I hear such horror stories about how difficult it is to eradicate. I am fortunate to have not encountered it in my landscapes.
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Amazing stuff, dodder. Years ago I noticed an orange area in a corner of my lot. It was dodder, covering an area of several hundred square feet at least. Spectacular.
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Well, I suppose that is one way to describe it. Even wicked weeds can be spectacular.
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My experience with dodder was when it arrived with a Basel plant I bought in the supermarket. I really did not know what this strange wandering stalk was that was slowly strangling my plant to take over. Thanks to you Tony, you recognised it on a photo I posted on a blog and then I knew what it was. I took a few photos which I still have before it migrated to our garbage bin. Since I have never met dodder again, and do not want to. I ask myself how such a threatening plant found its was in a Swiss plant nursery.
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Oh my! I have no idea why, but this comment was filtered out as spam. I think that it is alright now. Anyway, I remember that dodder in the basil. As you say, it is very odd that it arrived with something that was fresh from a nursery. That is the last place where one would expect to find dodder.
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I only met dodder when I bought a basil plant in the local supermarket. I noticed the strange stalk that had decided to strangle my plant. Thaks to you Tony, you saw my photo and told me what it was. I took a few photos of the plant before throwing it into the garbage, as it was getting bigger daily.
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Yes, I remember. Ick!
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