Hosackia gracilis
Harlequin lotus
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Hosackia gracilis (Harlequin lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by aquatic habitat and bicolored flowers.
Harlequin lotus is a native perennial found in northern California coastal regions including North Coast, central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in water, springy areas, shores, meadows, and roadside ditches at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow and pink-purple flowers that fade to white, with blossoms 10 to 16 millimeters long in clusters of 3 to 9. Growing with sprawling to ascending stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, often with a spongy base and spreading through stolons or rhizomes. Its leaves feature 3 to 7 leaflets, each 6 to 20 millimeters long, arranged in an approximately opposite pattern with large, fragile triangular stipules. The fruit is an oblong pod 2 to 3 centimeters long, containing a few seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; aquatic habitat and bicolored flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: In water, springy areas, shores, meadows, roadside ditches
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Humboldt, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Del Norte, San Francisco, El Dorado
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Hosackia gracilis blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Acmispon: Hosackia has conspicuous papery or leafy stipules; Acmispon stipules tiny or absent.; vs Lathyrus: Hosackia has umbrella clusters; Lathyrus flowers on stalks with leaves having tendrils.; vs Lotus: Hosackia is native perennial in natural habitats; Lotus is introduced in disturbed sites.; vs Vicia: Hosackia flowers in umbels; Vicia flowers in rows with leaves ending in tendrils.; vs Securigera: Hosackia pods split open straight; Securigera pods break into curved segments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hosackia gracilis native to California?
Yes. Hosackia gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hosackia gracilis bloom?
Hosackia gracilis blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Hosackia gracilis grow?
Hosackia gracilis occurs in Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Humboldt, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Hosackia gracilis belong to?
Hosackia gracilis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Hosackia.
Is Hosackia gracilis rare or endangered?
Hosackia gracilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.