Acmispon denticulatus
Toothed lotus
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acmispon denticulatus (Toothed lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by pale flowers and short, broad pods.
Toothed lotus is a California native annual found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and other regions in open meadows, slopes, and streambanks at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces cream-white or pale yellow flowers small in size with wings approximately equal to the keel. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, often single and slightly hairy or smooth. Its leaves are subpinnate or palmate with 2 to 4 leaflets, each 8 to 12 millimeters long, elliptic to obovate in shape, with a flat leaf axis. The fruit is a dehiscent pod 5 to 15 millimeters long, widely oblong, generally straight and flat, with a slightly curved beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinguished by pale flowers and short, broad pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open meadows, slopes, streambanks
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Acmispon denticulatus blooms May-Jul.
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 denticulatus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon denticulatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon denticulatus bloom?
Acmispon denticulatus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Acmispon denticulatus belong to?
Acmispon denticulatus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon denticulatus grow in?
Acmispon denticulatus grows in Open meadows, slopes, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.