American Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Acmispon americanus var. americanus
Also known as: Heller's bird's-foot trefoil
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
GBIF: Don Rideout
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Acmispon
- Species:
- Acmispon americanus var. americanus
- USDA Symbol:
- LOUN
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pulse pod borer (Etiella zinckenella), Acmon blue (Plebejus acmon), Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire from root crown; benefits from periodic burning in native grassland and chaparral habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination rates; seeds may benefit from brief hot water treatment or mechanical scarification before cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI