Acmispon junceus
Rush lotus
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon junceus (Rush lotus) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family.
Rush lotus is a California native annual found in dry, open areas at low to mid-elevations. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers small to medium-sized clusters with 2 to 8 blooms. Growing with slender stems 8 to 40 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, finely hairy appearance. Its leaves are uniquely structured with 3 to 5 narrow, oblanceolate leaflets each 5 to 10 millimeters long, arranged on an sometimes flattened leaf axis. The small fruits are slightly arched, 6 to 8 millimeters long with a distinctive curved 2 to 3 millimeter beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all other species in genus
Habitat and range
California counties: Monterey, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
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 junceus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon junceus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Acmispon junceus grow?
Acmispon junceus occurs in Monterey, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura.
What plant family does Acmispon junceus belong to?
Acmispon junceus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
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.