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Boggs Lake dodder
Scientific Name: Cuscuta howelliana
Family: Cuscutaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine, Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Cuscuta howelliana (Boggs Lake Dodder)
Cuscuta howelliana, commonly known as Boggs Lake Dodder, is a parasitic plant species endemic to California vernal pools.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cuscuta howelliana P. Rubtzov
- Common Name: Boggs Lake Dodder
- Family: Cuscutaceae (also referenced as Convolvulaceae, though formerly treated as the only genus in the family)
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Cuscuta howelliana is native and endemic to California, specifically found in vernal pools.
- It has been observed in several California counties, including Butte, Sacramento, Merced, and Lake County, particularly at Boggs Lake in Lake County (elevation 2,800 ft).
Ecological Role
- Cuscuta howelliana acts as a keystone species in California vernal pools.
- It is a parasitic plant, drawing nutrients from host plants.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cuscuta howelliana is an annual herb and a vine. It is a parasitic plant.
Considerations for Pets
- Cuscuta species, in general, are vines, and may pose an entanglement risk to small animals.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cuscuta howelliana has been observed covering Eryngium castrense.
- As a parasitic plant, it interacts with other plant species by drawing nutrients from them.
Related Information
- Discover Life provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cuscuta howelliana.
- The California Natural Diversity Data Base (2003) also mentions occurrences in specific locations like Dry Lake.