Silver bird's-foot trefoil

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acmispon argophyllus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Silver bird's-foot trefoil (Acmispon argophyllus) 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

6"–18" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun

Native to

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.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A low, sprawling subshrub with silvery, silky-haired leaves and small yellow pea flowers that fade to orange with age. Forms a soft silver mat on coastal bluffs and dunes.

Wildlife value

Host plant for silvery blue.

As a legume it fixes nitrogen in poor coastal soils, and the foliage is a larval host for silvery blue butterflies.

Common questions

How much sun does Silver bird's-foot trefoil need?: Silver bird's-foot trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Silver bird's-foot trefoil bloom?: Silver bird's-foot trefoil blooms in March, April, May, and June.
Where is Silver bird's-foot trefoil native?: Silver bird's-foot trefoil (Acmispon argophyllus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Silver bird's-foot trefoil host?: Silver bird's-foot trefoil is a larval host plant for silvery 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Silver bird's-foot trefoil? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz

Common questions

How much sun does Silver bird's-foot trefoil need?

Silver bird's-foot trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Silver bird's-foot trefoil bloom?

Silver bird's-foot trefoil blooms in March, April, May, and June.

Where is Silver bird's-foot trefoil native?

Silver bird's-foot trefoil (Acmispon argophyllus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Silver bird's-foot trefoil host?

Silver bird's-foot trefoil is a larval host plant for silvery blue.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides