What type of plants can be significantly affected by dodder?

Dodder is a parasitic plant that can significantly affect a wide variety of host plants, which gives it a broad host range. It attaches itself to the stems of its host plants and derives nutrients and water from them, leading to nutrient depletion in the host and potentially resulting in the death of the host plant.

This broad host range allows dodder to infect numerous plant species across different groups, including both monocots and dicots, making it a versatile and damaging pest in various agricultural and natural systems. The ability to affect many types of plants is critical for understanding how dodder spreads and the management strategies that may be necessary to control its impact on crops and ecosystems. Recognizing this broad range of host susceptibility is essential for effective pest control management and for developing integrated pest management practices.

In contrast, other options like a narrow host range or specificity to certain species would limit the impact and spread of dodder, which is not the case in reality. This characteristic makes dodder a significant concern for a wide range of plant producers.