Cuscuta californica var. apiculata
Chaparral dodder
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata (Chaparral dodder) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family.
Chaparral dodder is a California native parasitic plant found in the eastern Colorado River desert region at elevations generally below 500 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces small, delicate flowers with distinctive pointed ovaries and very short filaments. Growing as a thin, thread-like vine that parasitizes other herbs, it lacks chlorophyll and appears as a tangled yellow or orange network draped over host plants. Its flowers are compact, with perianth structures that are smooth and not raised or papillate. The seeds are ovoid-conic with a pointed tip, characteristic of its distinctive parasitic growth habit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; geographic isolation is primary differentiator
Habitat and range
Habitat: On herbs
Elevation: generally < 500 m
Outside California: Nevada, Baja California
Bloom period
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata blooms Mar-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 3
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 californica var. apiculata native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta californica var. apiculata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cuscuta californica var. apiculata bloom?
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata blooms Mar-Sep.
What plant family does Cuscuta californica var. apiculata belong to?
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
Is Cuscuta californica var. apiculata rare or endangered?
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata carries California Rare Plant Rank 3, state rank S3?.
What habitat does Cuscuta californica var. apiculata grow in?
Cuscuta californica var. apiculata grows in On herbs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.