Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus
Chaparral lotus
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus (Chaparral lotus) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by smaller-leafleted variety with large flowers.
Chaparral lotus is a California native perennial found in northwestern, southern Sierra Nevada, central western, and southwestern California in dry, open, disturbed sites, chaparral, and yellow-pine forest at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters that are softly hairy. Growing with low-spreading stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, sprawling growth habit. Its leaves have small leaflets generally 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, soft and slightly fuzzy to the touch. The plant is particularly adapted to dry, open environments with a gentle, unassuming presence in California's diverse landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; smaller-leafleted variety with large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally dry, open, disturbed sites, chaparral to yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 300-1500 m
California counties: Kern, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Lake, Colusa, Tulare, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Yuba, Butte, Mendocino, Shasta, Yolo, Napa, El Dorado, Glenn, Solano
Bloom period
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus blooms Apr-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 grandiflorus var. grandiflorus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus bloom?
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus grow?
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus occurs in Kern, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Lake, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of 300-1500 m.
What plant family does Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus belong to?
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus grow in?
Acmispon grandiflorus var. grandiflorus grows in Generally dry, open, disturbed sites, chaparral to yellow-pine forest.
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.