Cuscuta jepsonii
Jepson's dodder
(c) Kayla Sweeten, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Cuscuta jepsonii (Jepson's dodder) is a native California perennial in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by high elevation habitat and absence of scales diagnostic.
Jepson's dodder is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada Highlands in various habitats at elevations of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to September, this parasitic plant produces small fleshy flowers in compact clusters with 3 to 7 blossoms. Growing as a thread-like parasitic vine, it attaches to host plants and lacks typical stem and leaf structures. Its flowers are tiny, approximately 2 to 2.7 millimeters long, with delicate ovate-triangular lobes and a bell-shaped corolla. The fruit is nearly spherical, translucent, and contains 2 to 4 small seeds less than 1 millimeter wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; high elevation habitat and absence of scales diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: On
Elevation: 1200-2300 m
Bloom period
Cuscuta jepsonii blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cuscuta jepsonii bloom?
Cuscuta jepsonii blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Cuscuta jepsonii belong to?
Cuscuta jepsonii is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
Is Cuscuta jepsonii rare or endangered?
Cuscuta jepsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Cuscuta jepsonii grow in?
Cuscuta jepsonii grows in On.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.