Cuscuta pacifica
Goldenthread
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Cuscuta pacifica (Goldenthread) is a native California perennial in the Convolvulaceae family.
Goldenthread is a California native parasitic perennial found in coastal regions, typically growing in sandy or coastal habitats. Flowering from June to September, this delicate plant produces small, membranous white to cream-colored flowers in compact clusters of 2 to 17 blooms, each flower approximately 3.5 to 6 millimeters long. Growing as a slender, thread-like vine that parasitizes other plants, goldenthread attaches to host plants with specialized structures and spreads in fine, golden-yellow to pale strands. Its flowers feature distinctive bell-shaped corollas with short-fringed scales and widely ovate lobes, creating intricate botanical structures. The fruit is elliptic-ovoid, measuring 2 to 3.6 millimeters long, and contains one to two small, nearly spherical seeds.
Habitat and range
California counties: Alameda, Santa Barbara, Solano, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Contra Costa
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 pacifica native to California?
Yes. Cuscuta pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Cuscuta pacifica grow?
Cuscuta pacifica occurs in Alameda, Santa Barbara, Solano, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Contra Costa.
What plant family does Cuscuta pacifica belong to?
Cuscuta pacifica is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Cuscuta.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.