Hosackia incana
Woolly lotus
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hosackia incana (Woolly lotus) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated; distinctive woolly appearance.
Woolly lotus is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada in dry slopes and open pine forest at elevations of 800 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces distinctive two-colored red and white flowers approximately 12 to 15 millimeters long with white claws extending from the calyx tube. Growing with silky gray or silvery erect stems clustered 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it has a distinctively canescent appearance. Its leaves comprise 7 to 13 elliptic to obovate leaflets each 8 to 16 millimeters long, with scarious stipules. The fruit is a linear pod 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, containing a few seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated; distinctive woolly appearance
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, open pine forest
Elevation: 800-1700 m
California counties: El Dorado, Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Tehama, Nevada, Mariposa, Placer, Mendocino, Yuba
Bloom period
Hosackia incana blooms May-Jun.
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 incana native to California?
Yes. Hosackia incana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hosackia incana bloom?
Hosackia incana blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Hosackia incana grow?
Hosackia incana occurs in El Dorado, Butte, Plumas, Sierra, Tehama, Nevada, Mariposa, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 800-1700 m.
What plant family does Hosackia incana belong to?
Hosackia incana is in the Fabaceae family, genus Hosackia.
What habitat does Hosackia incana grow in?
Hosackia incana grows in dry slopes, open pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.