Distribution: In most Western states, Washington to California, east to Colorado.
Habitat: Found on many different hoasts.
Flowers: June-August
Origin: Native
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Parasitic, twining, annual or perennial herbs, with very slender, pinkish-yellow to white, glabrous stems, often forming large mats.
Leaves reduced to tiny scales.
Flowers usually sessile in small clusters; calyx about 2 mm. long, the lower half fleshy, the 5 lobes triangular, nearly 1 mm. long, acuminate, the tips spreading slightly; corolla slightly longer than the calyx, broadly bell-shaped, conspicuously pouched between the sepals, the 5 lobes lanceolate-acuminate, spreading, slightly longer than the tube; stamens 5, inserted just below the sinuses of the tube, slightly exerted; filament scales lacking; styles 2, 1-1.5 mm. long; ovary superior, 2-celled.
Capsule globose, not circumscissile.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Cuscuta occidentalis in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.
WA Flora Checklist: Cuscuta occidentalis checklist entry.
E-Flora BC: Cuscuta occidentalis atlas page.
CalPhotos: Cuscuta occidentalis photos.
USDA Plants: Cuscuta occidentalis information.