Wondering about Dodder.

We had two sons, we never had a dodder.  No, I mean daughter.  See, I told you I was bad speller.  Hey, wait a minute, maybe I will write about dodder, if that is OK with you.

How many of you know what dodder is?  I have to be honest, this morning is the first I have ever heard of it (that I can remember).  I came across it while browsing through my Dictionary of World Folklore for some story to dazzle my readers.  Instead, I found dodder.  It perked my interest so I had to research it a little further.

Dodder is a plant that is common to North America.  It is a parasitic climbing vine that bores its tentacles into its host and sucks out nutrients so it can survive.  The reason it was in the book I mentioned above, was the belief that, since it absorbs the healthful power and essence of its host, it would do the same to humans.  It was also believed that if you threw a piece of dodder backwards over your shoulder toward a loved one, and it thrives where it lands, so will the affair.

I also searched the Internet and found some pictures of it:

Now, don't you think that is nasty looking stuff?  I dislike most parasites, plants and people.  They steal the life force and resources that the hosts have worked hard to acquire and save. I know that none of you are parasites, so I wish you all a great day today, you hear?