Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis
Scrub lotus, Scrub Lotus, scrub lotus, scrub lotus
Photo: parent species Acmispon argyraeus · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis (Scrub lotus) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by New York Mountains endemic with curved fruits.
Scrub lotus is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the New York Mountains in pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long with distinctive calyx lobes. Growing with decumbent to low-ascending stems, it forms compact clusters up to 20 centimeters tall. Its green to grayish leaves have oblanceolate to obovate leaflets, typically 3 to 4 times longer than wide. The fruit is curved at the tip and reaches 2 to 2.5 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; New York Mountains endemic with curved fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1200-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Bloom period
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. multicaulis native to California?
Yes. Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis bloom?
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis grow?
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1200-1500 m.
What plant family does Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis belong to?
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
Is Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis rare or endangered?
Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.