Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii
Davidson's sierra nevada lotus
Photo: parent species Acmispon decumbens · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii (Davidson's sierra nevada lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by mountain habitat and 90-degree banner curve.
Davidson's sierra nevada lotus is a California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges and northeastern Peninsular Ranges in open places and oak and pine forests at elevations of 1,200 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with a distinctive dark-drying banner that abruptly curves upward at a 90-degree angle. Growing with delicate stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, spreading clumps in mountain habitats. Its leaves have a short axis typically 2 to 5 millimeters long, with small leaflets arranged along slender stems. The plant typically bears compact clusters of 3 to 5 flowers, with calyxes measuring 6 to 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinguished by mountain habitat and 90-degree banner curve
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open places, oak and pine forests
Elevation: 1200-2750 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Diego
Bloom period
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii 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 decumbens var. davidsonii native to California?
Yes. Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii bloom?
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii grow?
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Diego, at elevations of 1200-2750 m.
What plant family does Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii belong to?
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii grow in?
Acmispon decumbens var. davidsonii grows in Open places, oak and pine forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Acmispon denticulatus — Toothed lotus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.