Deerweed-Pea Family
Lotus scoparius
Characteritics. Deerweed is common on dry slopes and washes below 5000 feet elevation in
coastal stands, coastal sage, scrub and chaparral especially after a burn. It frequently covers dry hillsides and
becomes dormant the second year after a fire.
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In
many cases this is not considered a weed.
With drought resistant forage, this plant provides wildlife managers
with a high protein forage option (28% protein) in the summer months when
oats, blends and similar crops are not as effective. Deerweed’s
long taproot and wide-ranging lateral root system makes it drought resistant.
Planting can begin in early spring through late summer. Animals begin feeding
when the plants are young. Wildlife and livestock alike feed off the leaves
and new growth which contains the highest levels of protein. Deerweed sprouts growth readily to sustain long-term
forage options from spring through hunting season. Deerweed is an
annual that produces tremendous forage mass. Studies show that in 45 to 60
days it can yield 2000 to 3000 pounds of dry forage per acre. It is a tough fibrous plant native to |
Identifying Characteristics. Deerweed, also called California broom, is an erect growing
(to 4 feet tall) shrub with greenish leaves that are arranged alternately with
3 trifoliate to 6 pinnatley arranged oblong to eliptic leaflets (generally 3 on upper terminals from ¼ to
3/8 inches long). The flowers are yellow
or sometimes orange, fading to orange/red after pollination, and look like
typical pea flowers. They can bloom nearly year-round.
Deerweed is a short- lived ( 7-20
years! ) perennial in the pea family. From spring through summer this plant is
covered in small yellow flowers. Deerweed is a
pioneer species in nature and helps to fertilize (adds nitrogen with the help
of symbiotic bacteria) the soil naturally. That is, when a plant community is
disturbed deerweed emerges and helps to reestablish
the plant community. This can be very useful in restoration or in a garden
situation. You can use it to help establish your plant community in your garden
if you start with a new house on a bare lot. Deerweed
is very drought tolerant. As the plant community matures deerweed
gradually disappears.