Botany question, unknown parasitic grass?

Question

Take a look at these pictures:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=344eazk&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2mh6hck&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=353eauv&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=w0nj8y&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=win9ed&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=opy9z9&s=4

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=14mam83&s=4

These pictures were taken in Hughes County Oklahoma along Highway 75. This unknown grass was seen in occasional isolated patches. Upon examination, it seems to be a grass, with strands running 12 to 24 inches and about the thickness of a straw from a broom. It seems to kill (by depriving light?) the grasses that grew underneath it. . . .

I've never seen anything like it. Almost like Spanish Moss, but on the ground, and not gray in color. . .

Anyone got any idea what this is?

Answer 1

Not a grass, but a parasitic vine called dodder (Cuscuta sp.).  Cuscuta gronovii is one of the more common species, but there are several others.  If you watch the vines closely, you might notice small white flowers.

some additional info:  http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symb...

http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin...