Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2927505

Salt Flats Dodder

Cuscuta salina

Also known as Salt Marsh Dodder, Pacific Dodder

Salt flats dodder weaves bright orange, thread-like stems into dense tangled mats over salt marsh vegetation. Lacking chlorophyll and true roots, this annual parasite drives sinker-like haustoria directly into host plants like pickleweed to drain water, sugars, and nutrients. Tiny clusters of whitish bell-shaped flowers bloom along the bright stems from summer into autumn across coastal and inland saline wetlands.

ParasiticWetlandNative
Salt Flats Dodder reference1 / 5
Licensed referenceFranco Folini from San Francisco, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica)
  • Fleshy Jaumea (Jaumea carnosa)
  • Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Predators
  • Insect larvae
  • Gall midges
ThreatsCoastal wetland development, hydrological alteration, invasive plant competition
HabitatsCoastal salt marshes, tidal wetlands, vernal pools, saline flats
Life spanAnnual
Classification
  1. FamilyConvolvulaceae
  2. SpeciesCuscuta salina
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Locate Hosts: Look for vibrant orange, stringy mats draped over green salt marsh plants like pickleweed.
  • Inspect Closely: Observe where the tiny white bell-shaped flowers cluster along the leafless stems during summer.
  • Protect Marshes: Observe from boardwalks and designated trails to protect sensitive wetland soils.
Related species
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