Strange red dry bush

Brestall · Post by **Brestall** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:56 pm

Would appreciate a hand in identifying this dry and fragile bush of red twigs pls. Noticed at pembroke today.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:13 am

Can't see what it is. Any close up?

Brestall · Post by **Brestall** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:16 pm

Sure, will try and get better ones tomorrow cos these r hopeless. : )

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:31 pm

could be dodder Cuscuta epithymum, but a better visual is needed!

Brestall · Post by **Brestall** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:11 pm

Thks for that Owen but it is not Cuscuta epithymum even though it has already started creeping up all sorts of plants in the same area. Some better images are attached.

Post by **MWP admin** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 3:13 am

I suspect that there is a leafless bush covered with another organism (parasite?) which although from photo 2185 it is not the common dodder, it looks at a glance as an alaga? I'm making this hypothesis because in photo 2185, I can see some fibrous mass hanging down from the branches (top right quarter). Unfortunately, I cannot make the detail to say exactly what it is.

If you can collect a specimen that would help.

Brestall · Post by **Brestall** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:29 pm

Thks for your reply steph. Unfortunately the dry bush seems to have been blown away by the strong winds this weekend. Something is sprouting in its stead so will take some more photos in a few weeks time. Thks guys

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:44 pm

Possibly it is a dead Cuscuta epithymum which has killed a shrub.

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Strange red dry bush

Strange red dry bush

more photos

Gone with the wind.