Hosackia oblongifolia
Narrow leaved lotus
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Hosackia oblongifolia (Narrow leaved lotus) is a native California perennial in the Fabaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated.
Narrow leaved lotus is a California native perennial found in dry, open habitats at moderate elevations. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces white to yellow flowers 8 to 13 millimeters long with delicate, intricate petals. Growing with sprawling or ascending stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall that are often hairy, it has a distinctive growth pattern. Its leaves are composed of 3 to 11 leaflets, generally elliptic to oblong, arranged opposite along the stem and measuring 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. The fruit is an elongated pod 2.5 to 5 centimeters long and 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide, bearing a few seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Kern, El Dorado, Fresno, Butte, Plumas, Tulare, Del Norte, Shasta, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Trinity, Nevada, Tuolumne, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Placer, Calaveras, Colusa, Alpine, Mariposa, Yuba, Lake, Mono, Madera, Sierra, Monterey
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 oblongifolia native to California?
Yes. Hosackia oblongifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Hosackia oblongifolia grow?
Hosackia oblongifolia occurs in Los Angeles, Kern, El Dorado, Fresno, Butte, Plumas, Tulare, Del Norte and other counties.
What plant family does Hosackia oblongifolia belong to?
Hosackia oblongifolia is in the Fabaceae family, genus Hosackia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.