Lotus, Hill;  Lotus humistratus

Mid bloomer.  Small single yellow flowers above each leaf, usually in small clusters.  Flowers redden with age, short stems, hairy stems and leaves.

Notes:  Pea Family.  Prefers grassy slopes.  The genus Lotus has about 150 species (USDA lists 72 Species and 81 accepted taxa overall).  The name Lotus is an old Greek name of uncertain origin.  Humistratus means low layer in reference to its often low-growing nature.

Click on species name below to go to USDA for this plant

Kingdom Plantae -- Plants 
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants 
        Superdivision Spermatophyta -- Seed plants 
            Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants 
                Class Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons 
                    Subclass Rosidae 
                        Order Fabales 
                            Family Fabaceae -- Pea family 
                                Genus Lotus L. -- trefoil
                                    Species Lotus humistratus Greene -- foothill deervetch

Lotus, Hill;  Lotus humistratus

Flowers (1/4 inch) and hairy leaves are incredibly beautiful close up.