Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus
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. maritimus (Coastal lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large flowers and long pods.
Coastal lotus is a California native annual found in coastal scrub, foothill woodland, washes, and talus in coastal western, southwestern, and desert southern California at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small yellow flowers with petals 6 to 10 millimeters long, where the keel is approximately equal to other flower petals. Growing with slender stems that spread or ascend, it forms delicate, low-growing clusters. Its leaves are compound with multiple small leaflets typical of the lotus family, creating a fine, feathery appearance. The fruit develops as a slender pod 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, containing multiple seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinguished by large flowers and long pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, foothill woodland, washes, talus
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Mariposa, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus 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. maritimus native to California?
Yes. Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus bloom?
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus grow?
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus occurs in San Diego, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus belong to?
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus grow in?
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus grows in Coastal scrub, foothill woodland, washes, talus.
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.