Cuscuta californica
Hook. & Arn.
California dodder, Chaparral dodder
Cuscuta californica is an annual herb or vine (parasitic) that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Bloom Period
The blue points on the map indicate observations in Calflora.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Jepson eFlora section:
eudicot
USDA PLANTS group:
Dicot
Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland, many plant communities
[Wikipedia] Phenology: Although this species spends most of its life without any contact with the soil, it is borne from a normal, rooted seed. The seed contains minimal energy reserves, meaning seedlings must locate and parasitize a host within a matter of days. It accomplishes this by means of "foraging" patterns, as dodder seedlings can detect the volatile compounds emitted by host plants. Dodder seedlings are even capable of "selecting" host plants based on their compounds emitted. After it attaches itself to the host, the grounded root dies and the plant becomes completely dependent on the host for nutrition.[3] This species flowers from March to September.[2] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)
