As I continued my hike later that day, I noticed thin, bright orange strings wrapped around some plants. At first I thought it might be from a group of rebellious teenagers who have nothing better to do than to run around the countryside victimizing poor plants with some sort of synthetic silly string. But upon closer inspection, I noticed it was a strange radioactive-looking vine. I later discovered that it’s called California dodder, or Cuscuta californica. It’s a parasitic plant that wraps around a host plant and steals its food and water. Allegedly it rarely kills the host plant, but I found that hard to believe given the ferocity with which this thin, orange, spaghetti plant choked its host.
Hi, Isabel: I am totally enjoying your weekly posts. Your photography is spectacular. Harold and I are in awe of your accomplishment. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Thank you! I still cannot get over the water situation.