Acmispon rubriflorus
Acmispon rubriflorus, synonym Lotus rubriflorus, is a species of legume endemic to California.[1] 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 | |
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Herbarium specimen of Acmispon rubriflorus | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Genus: | Acmispon |
Species: | A. rubriflorus |
Binomial name | |
Acmispon rubriflorus | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Location
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.[2] The plant's habitat is grassland and woodland.
Description
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.