Cuscuta approximata
Alfalfa dodder, Alfalfa Dodder
no rights reserved, uploaded by Ben Keen · CC0
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Cuscuta approximata (Alfalfa dodder) is a non-native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by features include head-like inflorescence, sessile flowers, and host preference.
Alfalfa dodder is a naturalized parasitic plant found in the North Coast Ranges, Great Valley, and Modoc Plateau in agricultural and disturbed habitats at elevations generally below 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces small, fleshy flowers in dense head-like clusters with creamy white to pale yellow coloration. Growing as a parasitic vine that twines around host plants, particularly legumes like alfalfa and clover, with threadlike stems that lack chlorophyll and depend entirely on host plants for nutrition. Its flowers are distinctive, with bell-shaped calyxes and corollas approximately 3 to 4.2 millimeters long, featuring widely triangular lobes and short, obtuse appendages. The fruit is a translucent, circumscissile capsule about 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters wide, containing four small seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; diagnostic features include head-like inflorescence, sessile flowers, and host preference
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Esp on Fabaceae (e.g., alfalfa, clover)
Elevation: generally < 1500 m
Outside California: to western Canada, Utah, Asia, Europe, northern Africa
Bloom period
Cuscuta approximata blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Cassytha: Cassytha has green color visible on close inspection; Cuscuta is pure orange/yellow with no green.; vs Funastrum: Funastrum has leaves and grows from the ground; Cuscuta is leafless and grows on other plants.; vs Eriogonum: Eriogonum grows from soil with visible leaves; Cuscuta wraps around other plants with no leaves.; vs Epilobium: Epilobium has green leaves and stands upright; Cuscuta is leafless orange strings on host plants.; vs Brandegea: Brandegea has tendrils and leaves; Cuscuta has no leaves, just orange thread-like stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cuscuta approximata native to California?
No. Cuscuta approximata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cuscuta approximata bloom?
Cuscuta approximata blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Cuscuta approximata belong to?
Cuscuta approximata is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
What habitat does Cuscuta approximata grow in?
Cuscuta approximata grows in Uncommon. Esp on Fabaceae (e.g., alfalfa, clover).
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.