Cuscuta indecora var. indecora
Large-seeded dodder, Large-Seeded Dodder
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Cuscuta indecora var. indecora (Large-seeded dodder) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by largest seeds and fleshy, papillate flowers diagnostic.
Large-seeded dodder is a California native perennial parasitic plant found in northern coastal, northwestern coastal, Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, and Desert bioregions in moist fields and roadsides at elevations generally below 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to November, this plant produces small, fleshy flowers with triangular-ovate lobes in raceme- or panicle-like clusters of 5 to 40 blossoms. Growing as a thin, twining parasitic vine that attaches to host plants with specialized suckers, it lacks typical leaves and instead wraps itself around other vegetation. Its flowers are distinctive, with bell-shaped corollas 2 to 5.3 millimeters long featuring spoon-shaped scales and triangular-ovate lobes that are nearly erect. The plant produces spheric fruits 2 to 3.5 millimeters wide that are translucent and surrounded by the dried corolla, containing 2 to 4 widely elliptic seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; largest seeds and fleshy, papillate flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. On herbs, woody pls, often in moist fields, roadsides
Elevation: generally < 1500 m
Outside California: to Canada, central and southeastern United States, Caribbean, Mexico, South America
Bloom period
Cuscuta indecora var. indecora blooms Jun-Nov.
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 indecora var. indecora native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta indecora var. indecora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cuscuta indecora var. indecora bloom?
Cuscuta indecora var. indecora blooms Jun-Nov.
What plant family does Cuscuta indecora var. indecora belong to?
Cuscuta indecora var. indecora is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
What habitat does Cuscuta indecora var. indecora grow in?
Cuscuta indecora var. indecora grows in Common. On herbs, woody pls, often in moist fields, roadsides.
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.