dodder: a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under those of which the order is doubtful. The calyx is quadrifid; the corolla monopetalous; the capsule bilocular. There are two species; one of which is a native of Britain, viz. the Europea, dodder, hell-weed, or devil's guts. This is a very singular plant, almost destitute of leaves, parasitical, creeping, fixing itself to whatever is next to it. It decays at the root, and afterwards is nourished by the plant which supports it. Hops, flax, and nettles, are its common support; but principally the common nettle. Its blossoms are white. As soon as the shoots have twined about an adjacent plant, they send out from their inner surface a number of little vesicles or papillae, which attach themselves to the bark or rind of the plant. By degrees the longitudinal vessels of the stalk, which appear to have accompanied the vesicles, shoot from their extremities, and make their way into the softer plant, by dividing the vessels and infusing themselves into the tenderest part of the stalk; and so intimately are they united with it, that it is easier to break than to disengage them from it. The whole plant is bitter. It affords a pale reddish colour. Cows, sheep, and swine, eat it; horses refuse it; goats are not fond of it.