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Deerweed

Acmispon glaber

true

1 gallon

Deerweed

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Deerweed (Acmispon glaber, formerly Lotus scoparius)

Deerweed is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub native to dry areas of California, Arizona, and Mexico. It blooms from spring through summer, producing clusters of small, yellow-to-reddish pea-shaped flowers along its many slender branches. The flowers and leaves are both tiny, typically just ¼ to ⅜ inch long. Its leaves appear in groups of three (trifoliate), spaced along green stems that remain photosynthetically active even when the plant drops its leaves in heat or drought.

Flowers may turn red with age, heat, or after pollination - sources vary - but the shifting hues offer a helpful visual cue of seasonal and ecological changes. In spring, plants are soft-stemmed with bright green leaves and cheerful yellow blooms. As summer progresses, they shift to a tougher, more drought-adapted form.

Deerweed plays a vital role in ecosystem recovery. As a pioneer species, it’s one of the first native plants to emerge after wildfire or other disturbance, helping to stabilize soil and create conditions for other plants to return. This makes it especially valuable in restoration work and for new landscapes, like recently built homes on bare lots. Like many members of the pea family, the roots of deerweed contain symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which transform atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for other plants. This process not only supports the deerweed itself but also improves soil fertility and helps establish a healthy, self-sustaining plant community.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant:
Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus); Marine Blue (Leptotes marina); Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme); Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus); Acmon Blue (Plebejus acmon); Harford’s Sulphur (Colias harfordii); Bramble Hairstreak (Callophrys perplexa); Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)

Nectar Source:
Desert Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes coloro); Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae); Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus); Bramble Hairstreak (Callophrys perplexa); Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus); Acmon Blue (Plebejus acmon)

Bird Resources: Insect Foraging; Nest Sites; Shelter

Bird Species:
Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata); Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii); California Towhee (Melozone crissalis); Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia); Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus); Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas); California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Shade

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow tinged with red

Flower season:

Spring- Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.