California Dodder Photos, Cuscuta californica

Photo of Cuscuta californica, California dodder
California dodder, a common stem parasite in California that typically parasitizes host shrubs. Dodders resemble tangled masses of orange spaghetti covering shrubs. Dodder is without chlorophyll and are nonphotosynthetic and is therefor an obligate parasite dependent on its host for water and nutrients through a root system that penetrates the stem tissue of the host, Cuscuta californica
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