Silver Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Acmispon argophyllus
- Native to:
- Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
Anthony Valois and the National Park Service







Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Acmispon
- Species:
- Acmispon argophyllus
- USDA Symbol:
- LOAR3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Avalona hairstreak (Strymon avalona), Dusky Green Hairstreak (Callophrys dumetorum)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, native pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from crown after fire. Seeds are stimulated by heat, and plant shows increased flowering post-burn.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and coastal areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification or hot water treatment improves germination. Seeds have hard coats typical of Fabaceae.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI