Pediomelum castoreum

Beaver dam breadroot, Beaver Dam Breadroot

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Beaver dam breadroot is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, typically growing in open areas and roadcuts at elevations below 1,750 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white to purple flowers 9 to 13 millimeters long with distinctive banner petals. Growing with erect stems up to 45 centimeters tall, it develops a robust root system characteristic of breadroot species. Its leaves are complex, with 5 to 6 leaflets and long petioles measuring 6.8 to 15 centimeters, accompanied by conspicuous stipules 5 to 13.5 millimeters long. The fruit is notable for its ovate to elliptic shape, with a body 6 to 8 millimeters long and a slightly curved beak 8 to 11 millimeters in length.

Habitat: Open areas, roadcuts

Bloom period: Apr-May

Elevation: < 1750 m

Bioregions: DMoj (San Bernardino Co.)

California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo

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