Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 to 10 inches
Riparian
No
Stems can be ascending, declining and/or nearly flat on the ground.
Stipules inconspicuous, yellow flowers, stems not rigid and not twice as long as leave, flower stems that rise above the leave and prostrate stems distinguish this Lotus sp.
Habitat
Appears mostly in grasslands on dry mesas and slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers appear solitary or can be clustered with stalks of flowers arising from one point. Flowers can be much longer than the leaves. Calyx lobes are shorter than the tube. Petals are about 1/2 inch long. Turns from yellow to purple as flower dries.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Has 3 to 5 leaflets. Leaflets are inversely ovate to lanceolate to over 1/2 inch long. Hairs appear silvery.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Pods are 1/2 to 1 inch long with silvery hairs.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green