This bracteate "dodder" occurs mostly in midwestern regions, especially on tall herbs in Asteraceae (F). The only confirmed Ky. coll. is from Helianthus and Silphium, at a swale of Eastview Barrens in HARD (MM for WKY & KY). Colls. have also been reported from WARR (Pr; check MO) and perhaps elsewhere (M). C. glomerata is close to compacta, but differs in its denser rope-like inflorescences, with indiscernible clusters (F, Cr, Ch; Spaulding 2013a). Also bracts are narrowly triangular to lanceolate, with curved apex (versus ovate-orbicular to ovate-triangular, with erect apex).