Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus
Coastal lotus
Photo: parent species Acmispon maritimus · (c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus (Coastal lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by desert habitat and smaller flowers.
Coastal lotus is a California native annual found in desert regions, including desert mountains at elevations below 1,850 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers with a distinctive keel petal longer than other petals. Growing with slender stems that spread or ascend across sandy or rocky desert terrain, it forms compact clusters near the ground. Its leaves are composed of small, compound leaflets typical of the lotus family, creating a delicate green mat across the desert landscape. The fruit develops as a narrow pod 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, with distinctive constrictions between seeds as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; distinguished by desert habitat and smaller flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Deserts, including mountains
Elevation: < 1850 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Kern
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus blooms Mar-Jun.
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 maritimus var. brevivexillus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus bloom?
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus grow?
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Kern, at elevations of < 1850 m.
What plant family does Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus belong to?
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus grow in?
Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus grows in Deserts, including mountains.
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.