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Description
Cuscuta Californica Var. Breviflora, commonly known as the California dodder, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the morning glory family. It is native to North America and can be found in parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. This plant has thin, thread-like stems that are yellow-orange in color and can grow up to several feet long. It has small, white or cream-colored flowers that bloom in the summer.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Cuscuta |
Appearance
The California dodder is a parasitic plant that does not have leaves or roots. Instead, it has thin, thread-like stems that wrap around the host plant to obtain nutrients. The stems can be yellow-orange in color and can grow up to several feet long. The flowers of this plant are small, white or cream-colored, and bloom in the summer. The California dodder can be easily recognized by its thin, stringy stems that wrap around the host plant.
Care Guide
The California dodder is a parasitic plant that does not require any care as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant. However, it is important to note that this plant can be harmful to the host plant and can cause damage to it. It is recommended to remove the California dodder from the host plant as soon as it is noticed.
Water
The California dodder does not require any water as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant.
Fertilization
The California dodder does not require any fertilization as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant.
Soil
The California dodder does not require any soil as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant.
Sunlight
The California dodder requires full sunlight to grow.
Hardiness Zones
The California dodder can be found in hardiness zones 8 through 10.
Common Pests & Diseases
The California dodder is a parasitic plant and does not have any common pests or diseases.
Habitat
The California dodder can be found in parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. It grows in a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and chaparral.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the California dodder harmful to the host plant?
A: Yes, the California dodder can be harmful to the host plant and can cause damage to it.
Q: Does the California dodder require water or soil?
A: No, the California dodder does not require any water or soil as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant.
Q: Where can the California dodder be found?
A: The California dodder can be found in parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
Q: What color are the flowers of the California dodder?
A: The flowers of the California dodder are small, white or cream-colored.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants in the morning glory family:
- Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato vine)
- Ipomoea tricolor (morning glory)
- Quamoclit coccinea (red morning glory)
- Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed)
References
- California Native Plant Society. (2021). Cuscuta californica var. breviflora. Retrieved from https://www.cnps.org/
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. (2021). California dodder. Retrieved from https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/
