Native Plants
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Lotus wrightii
Lotus wrightii (A. Gray) Greene
Wright's Deervetch
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Hosackia wrightii
USDA Symbol: LOWR
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A dark green plant with several erect stems, stalkless pinnately compound leaves, and on slender stalks growing from leaf axils 1 or a few deep yellow "pea flowers."
Wright's Deer-vetch is a favored browse for deer and domestic livestock. Like many species of the pea family, it has an intricate method of pollination that generally requires the aid of insects.
The species name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector but mainly in Texas (1837-1852), Cuba and his native Connecticut.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , UTNative Distribution: Southeastern California to southern Utah and Colorado; south to New Mexico and Arizona.
Native Habitat: Rocky slopes, mainly among pinon and juniper.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Warning: This plant is reportedly poisonous to animals if ingested. Humans should generally avoid ingesting plants that are toxic to animals.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lotus wrightii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lotus wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lotus wrightii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-06-25Research By: TWC Staff