American deerweed
Acmispon americanus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
American deerweed (Acmispon americanus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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A 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.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow American deerweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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