Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus
Southern California silver lotus
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus (Southern California silver lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by mainland form with sessile inflorescences.
Southern California silver lotus is a California native perennial found in central and southern California mountain ranges, including Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and Peninsular Ranges in dry chaparral slopes and canyons at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small yellow flowers in compact clusters about 1 centimeter wide. Growing with prostrate or gently ascending stems that are softly silvery-hairy, it spreads low across the landscape with a delicate, ground-hugging form. Its leaves are loosely arranged and covered in silky, silvery hairs that give the entire plant a distinctive shimmering appearance. The plant forms slender stems with small, delicate flowers that blend seamlessly into its dry, rocky habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; mainland form with sessile inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes in chaparral, canyons
Elevation: < 1600 m
California counties: Fresno, San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Mono, Tulare, Riverside, Los Angeles, Monterey, Imperial, Lake, Madera, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Ventura
Bloom period
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus blooms Apr-Jul.
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. argophyllus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus bloom?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus grow?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus occurs in Fresno, San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Mono, Tulare, Riverside, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 1600 m.
What plant family does Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus belong to?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus grow in?
Acmispon argophyllus var. argophyllus grows in dry slopes in chaparral, canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Acmispon argyraeus var. notitius — Providence mountains 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.