Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii
Jepson's California broom
Photo: parent species Acmispon procumbens · (c) avocat, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii (Jepson's California broom) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by high elevation and upright habit.
Jepson's California broom is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada mountains in Tulare and Kern counties, on open slopes and ridges at elevations of 1,800 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive pea-like blossoms approximately 9 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with ascending green stems, it forms a low-spreading habit characteristic of California broom species. Its leaves are compound with multiple small leaflets, typical of the Acmispon genus, creating a delicate green texture across the plant's structure. The plant's calyx is 4 to 6 millimeters long, with lobes approximately equal to the tube length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinguished by high elevation and upright habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, ridges
Elevation: 1800-2000 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, Fresno
Bloom period
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii blooms Apr-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 procumbens var. jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii bloom?
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii grow?
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii occurs in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, at elevations of 1800-2000 m.
What plant family does Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii belong to?
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii grow in?
Acmispon procumbens var. jepsonii grows in Open slopes, ridges.
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.