Cuscuta californica
| Cuscuta californica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus: | Cuscuta |
| Species: | C. californica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cuscuta californica | |
Cuscuta californica is a species of dodder known by the common names chaparral dodder and California dodder. It is native to western North America.
Description[]
Cuscuta californica is a parasitic vine which climbs other plants and takes nutrition directly from them via a haustorium. The dodder resembles a pile of yellow-orange straw wrapped tightly around its host plant. It is mostly stem; the leaves are reduced to scales on the stem's surface, since they are not needed for photosynthesis while the dodder is obtaining nutrients from its host. It bears tiny white flowers which are only about 3 millimeters wide, and fruits which are even smaller.
Habitat[]
This is a member of grassland and chaparral plant communities and can be found in weedy, partially disturbed areas. Like most other dodders, this species is considered a noxious weed in many areas.
External links[]
Media related to Cuscuta californica at Wikimedia Commons- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Photo gallery
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- Cuscuta
- Parasitic plants
- Flora of the Western United States
- Flora of California
- Flora of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Parasitic plant stubs
- Solanales stubs