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Acmispon glaber

deerweed

Fabaceae California and Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Acmispon glaber, formerly known as Lotus scoparius, is a short-lived subshrub in the pea family growing 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide, with many slender, green, broom-like stems rising from the base. The small leaves are divided into three to six narrow leaflets 0.25-0.5 inch (6-13 mm) long and often drop during summer drought, leaving the green stems to carry on photosynthesis. From spring into summer the stems line themselves with tiny pea-type flowers about 0.25 inch (6 mm) long that open yellow and turn orange to red after pollination, so a single stem often shows both colors at once. Small curved pods follow, each holding one or two seeds. The plant is a common member of California chaparral and coastal sage scrub and one of the first to return after fire, sprouting from seed on burned slopes. The roots host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It is short-lived, often declining after five to ten years, and tends to look sparse and twiggy outside the bloom and growth season.

Native Range

Acmispon glaber is native to California and Baja California, Mexico, where it grows on dry slopes, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and disturbed or recently burned ground from the coast into the foothills.

Suggested Uses

Used in habitat restoration, erosion control on dry slopes, fire-recovery plantings, and native and pollinator gardens in mild-winter regions. The long bloom season feeds native bees and butterflies, and the foliage is browsed by deer and other wildlife. The fast growth and nitrogen-fixing roots suit it to stabilizing disturbed ground.

How to Identify

Identify deerweed by its clump of many slender green broom-like stems 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) tall with sparse, narrow three- to six-parted leaves that often drop in summer. The small pea flowers about 0.25 inch (6 mm) long open yellow and age to orange-red, so clusters show mixed colors. Short curved pods follow, and the green photosynthetic stems remain after the leaves fall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from spring into summer, generally March to August depending on rainfall and elevation. Each flower opens yellow and shifts to orange-red after bees pollinate it, a color change that signals which flowers still hold nectar. The long bloom season draws native bees, honeybees, and butterflies.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow aging to orange-red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Acmispon glaber grows in full sun on lean, fast-draining soils, including sand, gravel, and decomposed granite, at a pH of about 6.0-7.5. It withstands heat and extended drought once established and needs no summer water in its native climate; excess irrigation shortens its life. The roots fix nitrogen, so fertilizer is not needed. Plants establish quickly from seed, grow fast, and are short-lived, often fading after several years as new seedlings take over. In gardens it suits dry banks, fire-recovery plantings, and habitat restoration. It is hardy to about 20F (-7C) in USDA zones 8-10.

Pruning

Light pruning after flowering tidies the twiggy stems and can prolong the plant's short life. Hard pruning into old bare wood is avoided, as the stems resprout poorly from it. Old plants are often replaced rather than rejuvenated.