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What is this strange plant growing on a gorse?!

PlumeisterPlumeister Posts: 3
in Talkback

image

 I was walking in the new forest and came across this odd red stringy plant growing all over the gorse, I have never seen it before, does anyone have any idea what it is ?!

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  • PotsandpansiesPotsandpansies Posts: 124
    It's a parasitic plant that feeds off its host in a similar way to mistletoe. Looks like some alien creature!
  • PlumeisterPlumeister Posts: 3

    Wow that was quick!

    thank you!

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    There's a wonderful time-lapse video on one of David Attenborough's Life of Plants episodes which shows Dodder growing.  The BBC have that clip available here:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/collections/p0085nk0#p009c58h

    I love the background music - so apt! image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193

    I don't think I've ever heard of this before!  Quite spooky, and the clip from the bbc is fascinating.  And the first little flower that starts to open just looks as if it is a demonic smiley face!  (or that's just me being fanciful).

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    I remember seeing that clip Bobimage

    Never seen it for real though,



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,134

    I remember learning about it at school, but I've never seen it either Nut. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    I remember the sickly sweet scent from its flowers - growing near Linton in N Devon

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Bob, thank you for that wonderful link; I also watched the 2000 year old Magnolia seed developing and the fungi releasing their spores; incredibleimage

  • PotsandpansiesPotsandpansies Posts: 124
    It was near Lynton that I saw it too, Liriodendron! I don't remember it being in flower at the time, but it was a most peculiar sight.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    Sorry, P&P - I can usually spell, just not tonite...  image

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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