Field dodder is an herbaceous vine with an orange stem and white, 5-parted flowers, with 1.5-2mm-long perianth, united sepals, and without subtending bracts. Petal tips are acute, stamens exserted in flower. Fruits are capsules, seeds are 1mm long. It has alternate, minute scales in place of leaves.
It can be distinguished from other Cuscuta by its dense inflorescence of 5-parted flowers, with pointed, white petals.