Parasitic Vine

Yolo County officials said the Japanese dodder, a non-native parasitic vine, is growing in the Clarksburg area. County agriculture department officials confirmed the presence of the invasive vine in a riparian area next to the Sacramento River. The vibrant yellow-orange or yellow-green vine can grow up to six inches per day. The dodder can attach itself to fruit trees and ornamental shrubs.

''This parasitic vine is a significant threat to our native ecosystems and to agriculture,'' said Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner John Young. County officials are working with the state food and agricultural experts to come up with an eradication plan.

In 2007, it was reported that the plant -- yellowish spaghetti-sized vines that can choke the life out of host plants -- had been found at more than 120 sites in California, 80 of which were in Sacramento County.

Several were also found in Yolo County. Eradication efforts were then begun to get rid of the vine, also known as ''devil's guts'' or ''strangleweed.''