WEEDS AND GRASSES. 263 



a small yellow bloom. Its botanical name is Medi- 

 cago lupulina. It would not be classed as a weed 

 only that it is so often used to adulterate alfalfa 

 seed. It is a cheaper seed than alfalfa and much 

 imported seed is adulterated with this, and some 

 unscrupulous seedsmen bring the seed over espe- 

 cially for purpose of mixing with alfalfa seed. It 

 is a good pasture plant and in Europe is often sown 

 with other clovers to make a good bottom for cattle 

 to bite. It has no especial value with us, but is in no 

 sense dangerous. It is a biennial. 



We have reserved the worst for the last. Dodder 

 is the arch enemy of the alfalfa grower. Dodders 

 are parasitic plants that begin life from seeds 

 dropped on the ground, developing slender, nearly 

 leafless twining stalks. These stems wherever they 

 touch plants of their liking send out roots that pene- 

 trate the host plant and suck its juices. Afterward 

 the parasite does not again send roots into the soil, 

 but twines from stem to stem of the unfortunate host 

 plant until it is tied together in a tangled mass. Ulti- 

 mately the host plants are usually destroyed. Dod- 

 der has usually bright yellow or orange colored 

 stems, nearly leafless, with very small flowers close 

 to the stems and many seeds. There are dodders 

 that attack various species of plants, including red 

 clover and alfalfa. 



Dodder always starts from seed which is found 

 mixed with clover and alfalfa seed. At first there 

 will be a very small spot infected at each center 

 where a seed di'opped; later it will be a spot as big 



