Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa
Peruvian dodder
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa (Peruvian dodder) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric; geographically isolated but now extirpated.
Peruvian dodder is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial historically found in San Bernardino, Sonoma, Butte, and Merced counties, extirpated from areas below 500 meters elevation. Flowering from July to October, this parasitic plant produces small, membranous flowers 1.8 to 2.5 millimeters long with creamy white to pale yellow coloration. Growing as a thin, thread-like parasitic vine that attaches to host plants, it develops spike-like or panicle-like clusters with 5 to 18 small flowers. Its flowers feature a distinctive bell-shaped corolla tube with rounded, fringed scales that reach the stamen bases, and ovate lobes with entire margins. The fruit is a depressed-spheric capsule 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide, typically containing four seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric; geographically isolated but now extirpated
Habitat and range
Habitat: On herbs including
Elevation: +- < 500 m.
Outside California: eastern and southern United States, West Indies, Mexico
Bloom period
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 obtusiflora var. glandulosa native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa bloom?
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa belong to?
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
Is Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa rare or endangered?
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank SH.
What habitat does Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa grow in?
Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa grows in On herbs including.
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.