Unusual Greater Dodder plant flourishing beside Boxted bridge

While we wait for Essex Highways to present their revised bridge drawings and discuss the options to repair or replace we thought you might like to see this photo of an unusual plant living beside the bridge.

Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaea) feeds parasitically, primarily on stinging nettle and hop.  It likes to be near water, is decreasing in occurrence and is found locally in England south of Peterborough.  It is not common and really quite rare.