Hosackia crassifolia

Hosackia crassifolia, synonym Lotus crassifolius, is a species of legume found in the western United States. It is known by the common names big deervetch and broad-leafed lotus.

Distribution
The plant is native to western North America, in California, Oregon, and Washington (U.S. states); and into Baja California (Méxican state).

The California populations are found in diverse habitats, including chaparral, California oak woodland, California mixed evergreen forest, and conifer forest.

Description
Hosackia crassifolia is a long-lived, somewhat bushy plant which bears long straight stems with evenly spaced oval-shaped leaves.

It produces thick bunches of yellow, pink-and-yellow, or scarlet-and-yellow pea flowers. The bloom period is May to August.

The brownish pea pods contain speckled red or brown peas.

Varieties

 * Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia — broad-leafed lotus (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. crassifolius).
 * Hosackia crassifolia var. otayensis — Otay Mountain lotus, Otay Mountain hosackia (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. otayensis), endemic to Otay Mountain in the San Ysidro Mountains of San Diego County, California. It is a critically endangered species.