A close up view of Cuscuta campestris or "noodle weed". Photo: Rachel Langman / DOC
Farmers in Waikato are being urged to keep an eye out for an invasive weed that looks like noodles and sucks the life out of other plants.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) said Cuscuta campestris - also known as golden dodder - was known to be only in north Waikato but has recently spread to an area in the Hauraki Plains.
Late last year it was spotted near the Piako River on a stretch of the Kopuatai peat dome.
DOC Biodiversity Ranger Rachel Langman said the yellow parasitic plant grows in the shape of a messy circle and entwines itself around other plants, including clover.
Cuscuta campestris or "noodle weed". Photo: Rachel Langman / DOC
"It's been described as yellow spaghetti and is quite different from any other plant you'll see. It looks like noodles and has no leaves. It's really easy to identify as there's nothing else out here that looks like it."
Rachel Langman said DOC is trying to curb the spread of golden dodder by using a digger to scrape it from the surface of the ground.
The digger's role is to remove the top ten centimetres of soil - containing Cuscuta seed - and bury that soil in a hole so the seeds couldn't germinate.
She said this prevents the weed from growing or spreading to other areas through human activity such as farming or hunting.
"Although the digger method seems drastic, it was identified as the best approach to controlling the infestation before it became unmanageable".
Langman said the "noodle weed" has been found in seven different sites and is urging Waikato farmers to contact DOC if they spot the invasive plant.
An ariel view of Cuscuta campestris or "noodle weed". Photo: Zoe Loader / DOC
"If left unmanaged, cuscuta can grow up to five metres in two months, and smother surrounding plants."
New Zealand has more native species under threat than anywhere else in the world, with over 4000 plants and animals considered threatened or at risk of extinction.
She said everyone needs to work together to remove pests and restore ecosystems to create safe havens for native wildlife.
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