Acmispon decumbens
Sierra lotus
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acmispon decumbens (Sierra lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family.
Sierra lotus is a California native perennial found in montane and alpine habitats at elevations where mat-forming or ascending plants can thrive. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with distinctive wings larger than its keel, measuring 5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with delicate stems 5 to 10 centimeters tall, it forms low-spreading mats with soft, wavy hairs covering its structure. Its leaves are uniquely arranged with 3 to 5 obovate to oblong leaflets, each 4 to 12 millimeters long, displaying green or grayish coloration. The plant's fruits are distinctive, with a narrow recurved beak 2 to 3 millimeters long and a tapered-oblong shape that curves slightly downward.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all other species in genus
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Plumas, Los Angeles, Butte, Sierra, Placer, San Diego, Riverside, Siskiyou, Tulare, Trinity, Humboldt, Tuolumne, Tehama, Mariposa, Amador, Fresno, Kern, Calaveras, Nevada, El Dorado, Mendocino, Sonoma
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 decumbens native to California?
Yes. Acmispon decumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Acmispon decumbens grow?
Acmispon decumbens occurs in San Bernardino, Plumas, Los Angeles, Butte, Sierra, Placer, San Diego, Riverside and other counties.
What plant family does Acmispon decumbens belong to?
Acmispon decumbens is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii — Davidson's sierra nevada lotus
- Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens — Sierra nevada lotus
- Acmispon dendroideus — Island broom
- Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus — Island broom
- Acmispon dendroideus var. traskiae — San clemente island lotus
- Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii — San miguel island deerweed
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.