Deerweed (Acmispon glaber)

Deer Plant (Acmispon glaber) is a perennial subshrub in the Fabaceae (Legume family). The plant is a pioneer species found in dry areas of California, Arizona, and Mexico. It is grows in many habitats, including chaparral, coastal sand, roadsides and other disturbed areas at elevations below 4900 feet. The stems are green, erect, somewhat branched, with small, deciduous leaves. When this plant blooms, from about March to August, it displays small yellow flowers bunched together in a flower cluster. The flowers become reddish with age. The fruit consists of a curved pod with two seeds. There are two recognized varieties with overlapping ranges. Fortunately it is widely available, and would be a great addition to any garden. It has excellent habitat value, and because it is nitrogen-fixing it is often used in restoration projects. Sometimes the wrong variety is planted in an area. Intermediates between the varieties have been observed as a result of such plantings. From Calscape.

Grower: Nature's Seed

Other Names Used: 

Family: Fabaceae

Life Cycle: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub 

Sun Exposure: Full

Bloom Period: Spring, Summer (March to August)

Bloom Color(s): Yellow

Plant Height: 2-3 feet tall

Plant Width: 3 feet wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland
  

Ecological Benefits:

• Drought Tolerant
  
• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
• Hedge
• Coastal Slopes

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Coastal Grassland
• Coastal Sage Scrub
• Coastal Strand
• Joshua Tree Woodland 
  

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None