Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii
Fremont's dalea
no rights reserved, uploaded by Irene · CC0
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii (Fremont's dalea) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by broader leaflets and loose inflorescence distinguish from relatives.
Fremont's dalea is a California native shrub found in the Mojave Desert on granite, volcanic slopes, flats, and canyons at elevations of 150 to 1,350 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small, delicate flowers in subtle, understated clusters. Growing with dense, compact branches 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a distinctive rounded shape characteristic of desert shrublands. Its leaves are composed of tiny leaflets, each 3 to 15 millimeters long and narrowly elliptic to ovate, creating a fine, feathery texture. The shrub's compact form and intricate leaf structure make it well-adapted to the harsh, arid environments of the Mojave Desert.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; broader leaflets and loose inflorescence distinguish from relatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite, volcanic slopes, flats, canyons; generally on sedimentary formations
Elevation: 150-1350 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern
Outside California: to southern Utah, northeastern Arizona
Bloom period
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Psorodendron: Psorothamnus has gland-dotted surfaces and indigo-purple flowers; Psorodendron has smooth surfaces and yellow flowers.; vs Astragalus: Psorothamnus has gland-dotted surfaces and single-seeded pods; Astragalus has smooth surfaces and multi-seeded inflated pods.; vs Dalea: Psorothamnus has petals arising from flower base; Dalea has petals arising from a fused stamen column.; vs Condea: Psorothamnus has pea-shaped flowers; Condea has two-lipped tubular flowers (mint family).; vs Scutellaria: Psorothamnus has pea-shaped flowers; Scutellaria has hooded two-lipped flowers (mint family).
Frequently asked questions
Is Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii native to California?
Yes. Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii bloom?
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii grow?
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, at elevations of 150-1350 m.
What plant family does Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii belong to?
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Psorothamnus.
What habitat does Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii grow in?
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii grows in Granite, volcanic slopes, flats, canyons; generally on sedimentary formations.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.