Common Deerweed
Acmispon glaber
Deerweed is a large, woody plant with long, branching stems coated in small clusters of leaves. The plant’s stems are erect and greenish-brown depending on their age. Along the branches are small leaves with 3-6 leaflets. Compared to the flowers, however, the leaves are relatively unnoticeable. All along the stems bloom brilliant clusters of 2-7 bright yellow tubular flowers. As the flowers age, they become a fiery red color. Deerweed’s fruit is a small curved seed pod.
Basic Information
Previously known as Lotus scoparius (be aware, many sources still use this name)
Member of the Fabaceae (Legume) family
Subshrub
Subshrubs are woody perennials that can freeze in the winter and regrow in the spring — they are like a hybrid of traditional shrubs and herbs
Deciduous – the small leaves fall off in the winter and the plant goes dormant
There are two recognized varieties of this plant with an overlapping range
The plant is a pioneer species, meaning that it often one of the first plants to establish itself in disturbed environments
Habitat
Native to dry areas of California, Arizona, and Mexico
Endemic (limited) to California
Commonly found in many habitats, including chaparral, coastal sand, and disturbed places, such as roadsides and burned ecosystems
Ecological Role
Consumed by a wide variety of wildlife including hummingbirds, bees, butterfly larvae, and of course deer
Host plant for the larvae of the Bramble Hairstreak, Afranius Duskywing, Persius Duskywing, and Acmon Blue butterflies
Provides nectar for many butterflies including the Chalcedon Checkerwing
Good for restoration and species reintroduction projects
This plant is nitrogen-fixing, meaning that it pulls nitrogen from the air and converts it into usable nitrogen that other plants need to grow
Reproduction
Blooms from March to August
Alternative Names
Deer weed, deervetch, California broom or western bird's-foot trefoil
Historical Uses
The Cahuilla and the Ohlone used the fiber of this plant for house construction and roof thatching
The Ohlone used a decoction of the foliage as cough medicine
The Mahuna used an infusion of the plant to build the blood
The Dieguno and the Tubatulabal used the plant for food, eating the leaves and roots
