Cuscuta californica
California Dodder
Convolvulaceae

Cuscuta californica is a parasitic climbing vine native to Western North America.
It gets its nutrition directly from the host plant via a haustorium -- an appendage that
penetrates the host plant's tissues. There are very few leaves, which are reduced to scales
since not needed for photosynthesis, resulting in yellowish stems.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture classifies Cuscuta californica as a Noxious Weed.

Above and below: Dodder on California Buckwheat (Erigonum fasciculatum) -- Mtn99

Below: Dodder on Willows -- Caliente Bodfish Road