American Deerweed Spanish Clover Spanish Lotus

Acmispon americanus

Family: Fabaceae (Legume)

Flowers — color: pink & white, size: 1/2", style: pea

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Small pinkish bishop's hat, an upright banner, with a projecting keel holding stamens and pistil, but lacking the wings of a typical pea-flower shape [see Pacific Pea]. About 1/2" in size.

Habit:
I found this American Deerweed growing in a mass of other plants. I do not see much in common with its relative, deerweed. It has dull pointed oval leaves, hairy underneath, growing on a network of hairy stems as a clump, up to 3' diameter as it matures. The fine hairs allow the plant to grasp neighbors and rise above. Deerweed has spiny leaves, a different form, and normally supports its own branches.

One photo shows the square-spotted blue butterfly, mentioned in the buckwheat discussion.

Obs: Open sunny areas.

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