Acmispon rubriflorus, synonym Lotus rubriflorus, is a species of legume endemic to California.[2] It is known by the common name red-flowered bird's-foot trefoil. It is known from only four occurrences with a disjunct distribution.

Acmispon rubriflorus
Herbarium specimen of "Acmispon rubriflorus"
Herbarium specimen of Acmispon rubriflorus

Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Acmispon
Species:
A. rubriflorus
Binomial name
Acmispon rubriflorus
(H.Sharsm.) D.D.Sokoloff[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Lotus rubriflorus H.Sharsm.

Location edit

There are two occurrences in eastern Stanislaus County, California, near Mount Boardman, and the other two occurrences are in Colusa and Tehama Counties over 100 miles to the north.[3] The plant's habitat is grassland and woodland.

Description edit

This is a petite annual herb spreading in a small patch on the ground. Its slender branches are lined with leaves each made up of about 4 hairy lance-shaped leaflets. Solitary magenta flowers appear in the leaf axils, each minute pea-shaped bloom just a few millimeters wide. The fruit is a hairy legume pod which may approach a centimeter in length.

References edit

  1. ^ "NatureServe Explorer - Acmispon rubriflorus". NatureServe Explorer Acmispon rubriflorus. NatureServe. 2022-05-30. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Acmispon rubriflorus (H.Sharsm.) D.D.Sokoloff", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2018-02-06
  3. ^ California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Profile

External links edit