Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii
San miguel island deerweed, San Miguel Island deerweed, San Miguel Island deerweed
Photo: parent species Acmispon dendroideus · (c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii (San miguel island deerweed) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by San Miguel endemic with gray 3-leaflet leaves.
San miguel island deerweed is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in northern Channel Islands on San Miguel Island in bluffs, inland canyons, and open sites near the ocean at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate, sparse petals. Growing with slender, branching stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms an open, somewhat woody structure. Its leaves feature three dense, silvery-gray leaflets that are strigose or silky to the touch, giving the plant a soft, textured appearance. When mature, it develops elongated fruits measuring 2.5 to 5 centimeters long, characteristic of its deerweed genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; San Miguel endemic with gray 3-leaflet leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bluffs, inland canyons, open sites near ocean
Elevation: < 350 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego
Bloom period
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 dendroideus var. veatchii native to California?
Yes. Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii bloom?
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii grow?
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii occurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego, at elevations of < 350 m.
What plant family does Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii belong to?
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
Is Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii rare or endangered?
Acmispon dendroideus var. veatchii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, 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.