Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus
Island broom, island broom, island broom
Photo: parent species Acmispon dendroideus · (c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus (Island broom) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by main Channel Islands form with shorter pods.
Island broom is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in the Channel Islands in bluffs, inland canyons, and open sites near the ocean at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from January to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate, compact form. Growing with slender, somewhat woody stems up to 1 meter tall, it forms an open, branching structure. Its leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets that are finely hairy, appearing a soft green color. The fruit is elongated, measuring 1 to 1.5 centimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; main Channel Islands form with shorter pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bluffs, inland canyons, open sites near ocean
Elevation: < 350 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus blooms Jan-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 dendroideus var. dendroideus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus bloom?
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus blooms Jan-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus grow?
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 350 m.
What plant family does Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus belong to?
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
Is Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus rare or endangered?
Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
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.