Strange 'spaghetti' weed suffocating vegetation in Nyanza

The slender, twining stems of the invasive weed, known as dodder plant, is easy to spot against green foliage and plants in the area.

Residents have christened the invasive dodder plant ‘spaghetti’, because of its slender, web-like stems that resemble the famous delicacy.

Most vegetation in areas like Karungu, Kadem, Lwanda and Muhuru-Bay in Migori County, are either dead or are on the verge of death because of the weed.

Its cobweb nature allows it to snake its way around any vegetation, slowly squeezing life out of host plant.

Interestingly, the weed has no roots that anchor it to the ground; which means it gets all its energy from the host.

David Otieno, a local, told Wananchi Reporting that the weed has caused serious destruction in their villages.

“The weed attacked and destroyed my live fence and fruit trees. The plants just wilted after sometime,” said Otieno.

“This is a new weed in this region, but the destruction it has caused to our vegetation is massive, and should raise concern,” added Otieno.

The residents have resorted to physically plucking the weed, and leaving it on bare grounds to die under the scorching sun.