| 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 ofdodder known by the common nameschaparral dodder andCalifornia dodder. This is anannualparasitic plant that may resemble fine strands ofspaghetti ortwine strewn across other species in its habitat. A mature plant of this species may fulfill all of its food and water needs from the host plant, but they rarely kill their host.[1] It is native to westernUnited States andBaja California inMexico.
Cuscuta californica is aparasitic vine which climbs other plants and takes nutrition directly from them via ahaustorium. 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.
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It bears tiny white flowers which are only about 3 millimeters wide, and fruits which are even smaller. The flowers can be used as a diagnostic feature in determining the species of dodder; onC. californica, thecalyx length is3⁄4 to equaling the length of thecorolla. The corolla lobes are also equaling or longer than the corolla tube, and thefilaments are 0.6 to 1.1 mm long.[2]
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]
There are three recognized varieties of this species:[4]
This species is found throughout the westernUnited States and parts ofMexico. In the United States, it is found inArizona,California,Nevada,Oregon,Utah andWashington. In Mexico, it is primarily found in the northwestern portion of the state ofBaja California.[5] It grows on numerousherbs andshrubs from various habitats, including sandy desert areas,chaparral,coastal sage scrub,grasslands, forests ofPinus ponderosa, and can be found in weedy, partially disturbed areas like roadsides.[2] Like most other dodders, this species is considered anoxious weed in many areas. It was also discovered in Flowood, Mississippi on August 12, 2022.
Media related toCuscuta californica at Wikimedia Commons