1. Spanish Lotus – Lotus unifoliolatus (purshianus)
(LOW-tus you-nee-folio-LAY-tus)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Much of CA; Dry fields and disturbed places in many plant communities including coastal
prairie, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, S. Oak woodlands and riparian.
shrubby annual
mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width:
to 4 ft.
Shrubby, mounded annual herbaceous plant. Many weak herbaceous branches. Leaves typical for
Pea family; leaflets usually three, fuzzy & gray-green. Foliage is very soft and attractive looking.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms May-Oct. Small flowers are pink-purple and white, typical ‘pea flowers’,
solitary along branches. Fruit is a dark pod that springs open when dry to scatter seeds.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Mostly as a habitat plant. Might be used as an annual specimen plant or shrub.
Attractive (if small) flowers and foliage. Could be grown in medium-sized container. Foliage edible.
Would be nice between shrubs as a summer-blooming groundcover.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native annuals/perennials in the Pea family (Brooms; others)
Excellent butterfly habitat; good larval food source for Blues and other butterflies. Also
good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade
Any, including clays; tolerates alkali soils
Little or none in summer; can tolerate winter flooding
Low needs; none required
Management:
Requires little care. Allow seeds to ripen/open before removing plants (bird food).
Self-seeds.
Propagation: from seed:
easy; sow in place in fall
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 10, 16, 19, 20
12/7/10
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