Hoffmannseggia glauca

Pig-nut, hog potato, Hog Potato

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Pig-nut is a California native perennial found in the southern San Joaquin Valley, southern Coastal Ranges, southern California, western Transverse Ranges, and desert regions in dry, alkaline flats at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers with orange-red tones, spreading 10 to 18 millimeters wide. Growing with erect stems less than 30 centimeters tall, it develops deep, tuberous roots that anchor it in harsh desert environments. Its compound leaves extend 5 to 12 centimeters long, featuring 4 to 13 secondary leaflets, each 2 to 6 millimeters in length. The fruit is slightly curved, measuring 1.5 to 4 centimeters long.

Habitat: Uncommon. Dry, alkaline flats in deserts, disturbed areas

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 900 m

Bioregions: SnJV, SCoRO, SCo, WTR, D

California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Ventura, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Alameda

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.