60 Muhlenbergia, Volume 9 
ACMISPON IN CALIFORNIA 
By A. A. HELLER 
While this group of plants is nearly related to the genus 
Anzsolotus of Bentham, recently revived, in habit and in several 
pronounced characters, it seems to be distinct. Rafinesque 
founded Acmispon upon Lotus sericeus Pursh, an untenable 
name, the equivalent of which is 77zgonella americana Nutt. 
Dr. Rydberg has recently revived Acmispon as a genus, and 
transferred to it the names of two species found in the Rocky 
mountain region. 
For some years I have been interested in the medly of 
plants called “Lotus americanus,” chiefly through field observa- 
tions in California. Press of other duties and doubt as to the 
identity of the several Nuttallian species described under /o- 
sackia has delayed publication. 
Probably all of Nuttall’s species are valid. Rydberg has 
recognized e/ata, and Piper, Cont. U. S. Nat. Herb. 11: 366, 
considers fz/osa sufficiently distinct to be called a variety. 
The species of Acmzspon fall into two groups, one with 
peduncles longer than the leaves, the other with peduncles 
shorter than the leaves. The short peduncled group is divided, 
at least in California, into species with large flowers and species 
with smnall flowers. 
It is greatly to be regretted that Rr. Rydberg, who probably 
has access to typical material of all of Nuttall’s species, has not 
given us good descriptions, or at least a key to them, instead of 
merely publishing new combinations. Nuttall’s descriptions, 
like many others, are so general that identification from them 
alone is almost impossible. 
While Azzsolotus parviflorus and its several near relatives 
bear a general resemblance to Acmispon, a little serutiny soon 
shows that they can not be included. 
ACMISPON Raf. New Flora 1: 53. 1836. 
Aunuals, either diffusely branched from the base and de- 
cumbent, or erect or ascending, sometimes with but few branches, 
generally decidedly pubescent, but occasionally glabrate. Leaves 
