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Dodder

Cuscuta sp.

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33.1813, -117.062

Field Notes

Description:

Orange, stringy vine that wraps around the plant and others nearby leaving a large, tangled mess all over. "The dodder resembles a pile of yellow-orange straw wrapped tightly around its host plant. It is mostly stem; the leaves are reduced to scales on the stem's surface, since they are not needed for photosynthesis while the dodder is obtaining nutrients from its host. It bears tiny white flowers which are only about 3 millimeters wide, and fruits which are even smaller." - Wikipedia

Habitat:

Chaparral area. This one was at Daley Ranch along the trail.

Notes:

"Cuscuta californica is a parasitic vine which climbs other plants and takes nutrition directly from them via a haustorium." - Wikipedia

Reference Links:

Cuscuta

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
CindyBinghamKeiser
Hi Seema, yip that's what Wikipedia says. I guess I could have included that in the notes. I'll do that now. Thanks!
Seema
a parasite..sucking nutrients from host plant using its haustoria
CindyBinghamKeiser
I just saw that there's a lichen that closely resembles this. If you see something that looks like this spotting and isn't connected to the ground, it's probably Usnea rubicunda http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usnea_rubicunda_ne2.jpg
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you Mary. I also didn't know the name until today. Edward, it's still common in San Diego county!
EdwardNathanReulbachJr.
nice to see it can still be found. For years I have looked every time I go to Cali but have never actually found it. Thanks for sharing.
MaryRosales
Well done, for years I have seen this string and wondered. Wonder of a name.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Southern California Wildlife

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 20, 2012

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