American deerweed
Acmispon americanus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–20" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CA and 20 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA slender, sprawling annual legume with small trifoliate leaves and tiny white to pinkish pea flowers borne singly along the stems. Widespread as a low, informal groundcover on open disturbed ground and grasslands.
Wildlife value
Host plant for silvery blue.
As a nitrogen-fixing legume it enriches soil, and its foliage serves as a larval host for silvery blue butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does American deerweed need?
- American deerweed grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does American deerweed bloom?
- American deerweed blooms in April, May, June, and July.
- Where is American deerweed native?
- American deerweed (Acmispon americanus) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 20 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does American deerweed host?
- American deerweed is a larval host plant for silvery blue.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
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