Cuscuta cephalanthi
Buttonbush dodder
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Cuscuta cephalanthi (Buttonbush dodder) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by 4-merous flowers and wet habitat diagnostic.
Buttonbush dodder is a California native parasitic perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Warner Mountains on herbs and woody plants near streams, rivers, and lakes at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers in spike-like clusters with 3 to 18 flowers, each flower approximately 2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing as a vine-like parasite that attaches to host plants, it has slender, thread-like stems that lack chlorophyll and wrap around host vegetation. Its flowers feature a delicate membranous calyx with oblong-ovate lobes and a narrow bell-shaped corolla tube with rounded, sparsely fringed scales. The fruit is a small, depressed-spheric capsule 2.5 to 3.2 millimeters wide, containing two to three widely ovate seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; 4-merous flowers and wet habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: On herbs, woody pls, near streams, rivers, lakes
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: to Canada, also eastern and southern United States
Bloom period
Cuscuta cephalanthi blooms Jun-Oct.
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 cephalanthi native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta cephalanthi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cuscuta cephalanthi bloom?
Cuscuta cephalanthi blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Cuscuta cephalanthi belong to?
Cuscuta cephalanthi is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
What habitat does Cuscuta cephalanthi grow in?
Cuscuta cephalanthi grows in On herbs, woody pls, near streams, rivers, lakes.
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.