Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens
Silky California broom
Photo: parent species Acmispon procumbens · (c) avocat, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens (Silky California broom) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by shrub-like habit and drooping pods.
Silky California broom is a California native perennial found in southern California valleys, coastal ranges, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Mojave Desert in chaparral and Jeffrey-pine forest habitats at elevations below 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers approximately 6 to 8 millimeters long with delicate, papery petals. Growing with prostrate to ascending stems that spread along the ground, it forms low, sprawling mats in sandy areas. Its leaves are compound with small, soft leaflets typical of the broom family, creating a fine, silky texture across the plant. In sandy flats and along roadsides, this broom creates soft, golden-yellow patches during its spring blooming season.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; distinguished by shrub-like habit and drooping pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral to Jeffrey-pine forest, sandy flats and slopes, roadsides
Elevation: < 2300 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Los Angeles, Tulare, Monterey, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens 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. procumbens native to California?
Yes. Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens bloom?
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens grow?
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Los Angeles, Tulare, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 2300 m.
What plant family does Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens belong to?
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acmispon.
What habitat does Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens grow in?
Acmispon procumbens var. procumbens grows in Chaparral to Jeffrey-pine forest, sandy flats and slopes, roadsides.
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.