Size: About 16 inches (41 cm) or more (2 feet - 61cm)
Growth Form: Wright's Deervetch is a perennialforb/herb. With multiple stems; plants grow up (erect) or spreading horizontally and then becoming erect (ascending).
Flower Color: Wright's Deervetch has yellow, orange and red showy pea-like flowers; 1 to 3 flowers with stems (sessile) from the leaf axils; the fruit is a narrow pod.
Flowering Season: April or May to September; April to August in Texas.
Elevation: 4,500 to 9,000 feet (1,372- 2,743m).
Habitat Preferences: Mid-level to upper desert, scrub and evergreen plant communities, common in dry open pine forests.
Recorded Range: In the United States Lotus wrightii is found in the southwest in AZ, CO, NM and UT. In Arizona it is native throughout most of the state with few records in the southwest; in New Mexico it occurs over much of the western half of the state; it is found in much smaller populations in Utah and Colorado. It is also native to northern Mexico.
North America & US County Distribution Map for Lotus wrightii.
North America species range map for Wright's Deervetch, Lotus wrightii:
Click image for full size map.
Genus Information: In North America, USDA Plants Database lists 142 species for Lotus. Worldwide, World Flora Online includes 605 accepted and 32 sub-species names for the genus.
The genus Lotus is under current taxonomic review and many species are now classified under the genus Acmispon. Lotus wrightii is now also recognized as Acmispon wrightii.
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 15 species of Lotus, California has 35 species, Nevada has 12 species, New Mexico has 5 species, Texas has 4 species and Utah has 8 species. Data approximate, subject to revision.
Comments: Wright's Deervetch is found in higher elevations and should not be considered a desert species. The species epithet was named in honor of Charles Wright (October 29, 1811 - August 11, 1885). Other plants were also named in his honor including Datura wrightii as well as the genus Carlowrightia (Wrightworts).
Wright's Deervetch, Lotus wrightii has attractive flowers, the flowers and their seeds may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of nectar or food.
Wright's Deervetch, Lotus wrightii is known to be a prefered browse for Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer, as well as range livestock.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects
Wright's Deervetch, Lotus wrightii has attractive flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, Native Bees and other insects in search of food and nectar.
****Special Value to Native Bees****
According to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation or other source, Wright's Deervetch, Lotus wrightii, is recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of Native bees. Click here for more information on their Pollinator Conservation Program.
Etymology:
The genus “Lotus” (Lo'tus:); Greek origin, name applied to the taste of the Jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba); thought to induce contentment and forgetfulness.
