Hosackia crassifolia, synonym Lotus crassifolius, is a species of legume native to Washington, California and Oregon. It is known by the common names big deervetch and buck lotus.
The plant is native to western North America, in California, Oregon, and Washington (U.S. states); and into Baja California (Méxican state).
The California populations are found in diverse habitats, including chaparral, California oak woodland, California mixed evergreen forest, and conifer forest.
Hosackia crassifolia is a long-lived, somewhat bushy plant that bears long straight stems with evenly spaced oval-shaped leaves.
It produces thick bunches of yellow, pink-and-yellow, or scarlet-and-yellow pea flowers. The bloom period is May to August.
The brownish pea pods contain speckled red or brown peas.
Varieties:
Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia — broad-leafed lotus (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. crassifolius).
Hosackia crassifolia var. otayensis — Otay Mountain lotus, Otay Mountain hosackia (formerly Lotus crassifolius var. otayensis), endemic to Otay Mountain in the San Ysidro Mountains of San Diego County, California. It is a critically endangered species.
