Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus
Short winged deerweed
Photo: parent species Acmispon glaber · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus (Short winged deerweed) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by desert form with keel exceeding wings.
Short winged deerweed is a California native shrub found in southern California desert regions including the Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Colorado Desert on desert slopes, flats, and washes at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with a distinctive keel longer than its wings, measuring approximately 8 to 9 millimeters long. Growing with spreading branches 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms an open, somewhat rounded habit. Its small compound leaves are typically divided into numerous leaflets, creating a delicate, fine-textured appearance. The plant's slender, graceful form makes it well-adapted to arid desert environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; desert form with keel exceeding wings
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert slopes, flats, washes
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles
Outside California: Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus blooms Mar-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 glaber var. brevialatus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus bloom?
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus grow?
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus belong to?
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus grow in?
Acmispon glaber var. brevialatus grows in Desert slopes, flats, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.