Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens
Sierra nevada lotus
Photo: parent species Acmispon decumbens · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens (Sierra nevada lotus) is a native California perennial in the Fabaceae family, recognized by mountain habitat and multi-flowered clusters.
Sierra nevada lotus is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central Coast, southern Coast, western Peninsular Range, and desert mountains in pine and fir forests, bracken meadows, and dry slopes at elevations of 850 to 2,750 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with banners that dry to an orange-yellow color, arranged in compact clusters of 5 to 12 blooms. Growing with low-spreading stems that reach modest heights, it develops a delicate structure with leaf axes including petioles generally 5 to 10 millimeters long. Its leaves feature a compact arrangement with multiple leaflets, creating a fine, intricate foliage pattern. The fruit is small, measuring approximately 1.8 to 2 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; distinguished by mountain habitat and multi-flowered clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine, fir forests, bracken meadows, dry slopes
Elevation: 850-2750 m
California counties: Butte, Kern, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, San Diego, Nevada, Trinity, Lassen, Tehama, Sierra, Plumas, Siskiyou, Placer, Lake, Shasta, Fresno, Los Angeles, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Riverside, Calaveras, Madera, Ventura, Inyo, Amador, Mariposa, Alpine
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens 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. decumbens native to California?
Yes. Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens bloom?
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens grow?
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens occurs in Butte, Kern, Tuolumne, Tulare, El Dorado, San Diego, Nevada, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 850-2750 m.
What plant family does Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens belong to?
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens grow in?
Acmispon decumbens var. decumbens grows in Pine, fir forests, bracken meadows, dry slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.