Chile trefoil
Acmispon wrangelianus
Last reviewed: November 2026
Chile trefoil (Acmispon wrangelianus) is a annual forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Chile trefoil, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Chile trefoil (Acmispon wrangelianus) 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"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A low, sprawling annual legume with small trifoliate leaves and tiny yellow pea-like flowers scattered across open grassland. It completes its life cycle quickly each spring before summer drought sets in.
Growing Chile trefoil
Grow Chile trefoil in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for acmon blue.
As a member of the pea family it hosts acmon blue butterfly caterpillars and fixes nitrogen that benefits neighboring grassland plants.
Common questions
- How much sun does Chile trefoil need?
- Chile trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Chile trefoil bloom?
- Chile trefoil blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Chile trefoil native?
- Chile trefoil (Acmispon wrangelianus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Chile trefoil host?
- Chile trefoil is a larval host plant for acmon blue.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Chile trefoil? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.