Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus
Canyon lotus
Photo: parent species Acmispon argyraeus · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus (Canyon lotus) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by prostrate variety with straight fruits.
Canyon lotus is a California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Desert Mountains on open granitic slopes and pine woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small white to yellow flowers about 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with prostrate, mat-forming stems that spread across rocky ground, it forms dense low-growing clusters. Its silvery-gray leaves are composed of soft, canescent leaflets with distinctive obovate shapes that feel velvety to the touch. The fruit is a slender pod 1.5 to 2 centimeters long, typically growing straight and close to the ground.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; prostrate variety with straight fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open granitic slopes or with pine
Elevation: 1500-2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside
Outside California: to Mexico
Bloom period
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus blooms May-Aug.
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 argyraeus var. argyraeus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus bloom?
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus grow?
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of 1500-2400 m.
What plant family does Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus belong to?
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus grow in?
Acmispon argyraeus var. argyraeus grows in Open granitic slopes or with pine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.