Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus
Channel Islands silver lotus
(c) John Game , some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus (Channel Islands silver lotus) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by Channel Islands endemic with peduncled inflorescences.
Channel Islands silver lotus is a California native perennial found in the Channel Islands (excluding Santa Cruz Island) in chaparral and bluff habitats at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to yellow flowers in compact clusters 1.5 to 2 centimeters wide. Growing with prostrate to ascending light gray woody stems, it forms a somewhat open, spreading habit. Its leaves are light and not densely clustered, with a delicate silvery appearance characteristic of its variety. The plant's low-growing, silvery structure makes it well-adapted to the exposed, windswept conditions of the Channel Islands.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; Channel Islands endemic with peduncled inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, bluffs
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Clara, San Francisco
Bloom period
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lotus: Same genus - Lotus is an older name for Acmispon, now considered synonymous.; vs Ottleya: Acmispon has yellow pea-shaped flowers in umbels; Ottleya (a buckwheat relative) has tiny white/pink flowers without pea shape.; vs Eriogonum: Acmispon has compound leaves with 3 leaflets; buckwheats (Eriogonum) have simple leaves.; vs Genista: Acmispon leaves are compound with 3 leaflets; Genista (broom) has simple or very small trifoliate leaves on ridged green stems.; vs Hosackia: Acmispon has tiny gland-like stipules; Hosackia has conspicuous papery or leaf-like stipules at leaf bases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus bloom?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus grow?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Clara, San Francisco, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus belong to?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus grow in?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argenteus grows in Chaparral, bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus — Southern California silver lotus
- Acmispon argophyllus var. fremontii — Fremont's silver lotus
- Acmispon argophyllus var. niveus — Santa cruz island bird's-foot trefoil
- Acmispon argyraeus — Canyon birdsfoot trefoil
- Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus — Canyon lotus
- Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis — Scrub lotus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.