| Lotus benthamii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Loteae |
| Genus: | Lotus |
| Species: | L. benthamii |
| Binomial name | |
| Lotus benthamii Greene |
|
Lotus benthamii is a species of legume known by the common name Bentham's broom. It is endemic to central California, where it occurs along the Central Coast and into the coastal mountain ranges. It grows in oceanside habitat and inland on slopes and in canyons. It is a mat-forming or spreading perennial herb lined with leaves each made up of a few oval leaflike leaflets up to 12 millimeters long. The inflorescence bears up to 10 dull pinkish dark-veined flowers, each just under a centimeter long.