Description

The harlequin lotus grows along the coast and in coastal mountains from San Luis Obispo to Oregon. From there its range extends into British Columbia. For most of the year it is easy to miss as it grows in a low mound among other plants, often intertwining with its neighbors. The many vine-like branches are punctuated with whorls of three (“trefoil”) lance shaped leaves. Harlequin lotus catches our attention only when the flowers appear in spring and early summer. The display of intricate blooms in pink and yellow is truly exceptional. The blooms yield sickle-shaped seed pods typical of plants in the pea family. Plant harlequin in partial shade and well-draining soil.