[4] C. chinensis is a thin, yellow vine lacking leaves or roots.

[3][5] Its pollen grains are small, colporate, and covered by a finely reticulate ektexine.

It is found throughout western Asia, tropical Asia, eastern Asia, and Australasia[3] at latitudes between 20° N and 50° N.[2] Specimens of Cuscuta campestris are occasionally mislabeled as C. chinensis; the two species can be differed by C. chinensis's carinate calyx lobes, incurved but not inflexed corolla lobes, and dehiscent seed capsule.

applanata flowers from June to October and is found in Mexico and the southwestern US.

[3] C. chinensis is used medicinally in many Asian countries, including China, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Nepal, and Inner Mongolia.