Carried by 6 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
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Otay Mtn. Lotus is a rare native perennial herb in the Fabaceae (Legume) family. It is one of two recognized varieties of Hosackia crassifolia found in California. It is found primarily in the Otay Mountain area of San Diego County and adjacent Baja, although there is also a disjunct population reported in San Luis Obispo County. The more common var. crassifolia also occurs in the same area of San Diego. Otay Mountain Lotus tends to grow in chaparral or disturbed areas at elevations from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. This plant is rarely used in gardens, a little information is available on its cultural tolerances and requirements.
Perennial herb
2 - 5 ft Tall
2 ft Wide
Purple, Cream
Summer, Spring
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low, Low, Moderate
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 0° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Adaptable.
Found the arid foothills of southern California and northern Baja as part of chaparral or in disturbed areas
Chaparral
In the wild it is found with numerous chaparral plants of southern California, including Chamise (Adenostema fasciculatum), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Viguiera (Bahiopsis laciniata), Golden-spined Cereus (Bergerocactus emoryi), Ceanothus spp., Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.), Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia spp.), Bush Poppy (Dendromecon rigida), Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Mexican Flannelbush (Fremontodendron mexicanum), Tecate Cypress (Hesperocyparis forbesii), Sages (Salvia spp.), Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum and parishii), and many others. Many other companion plants in the Otay Mountain region are rare species.
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 22 likely
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta
Orange Tortrix Moth
Argyrotaenia franciscana
Bramble Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme