Hosackia crassifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hosackia crassifolia |
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Hosackia crassifolia, synonym Lotus crassifolius, is a species of legume native to Washington, California and Oregon. It is known by the common names big deervetch and broad-leafed lotus.
Distribution
The plant is native to western North America, in California, Oregon, and Washington (U.S. states); and into Baja California (Méxican state).
The California populations are found in diverse habitats, including chaparral, California oak woodland, California mixed evergreen forest, and conifer forest.
Description
Hosackia crassifolia is a long-lived, somewhat bushy plant which bears long straight stems with evenly spaced oval-shaped leaves.
It produces thick bunches of yellow, pink-and-yellow, or scarlet-and-yellow pea flowers. The bloom period is May to August.
The brownish pea pods contain speckled red or brown peas.
Varieties
- Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia — broad-leafed lotus (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. crassifolius).
- Hosackia crassifolia var. otayensis — Otay Mountain lotus, Otay Mountain hosackia (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. otayensis), endemic to Otay Mountain in the San Ysidro Mountains of San Diego County, California. It is a critically endangered species.
