It is native to western North America, from British Columbia in Canada to Mexico.

[1] Hosackia belongs to a group of species traditionally placed in the tribe Loteae of the subfamily Faboideae.

A molecular phylogenetic study in 2000 based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences confirmed the view that the "New World" (American) and "Old World" (African and Eurasian) species of Lotus did not belong in the same genus.

[2][3] New World species at one time placed in Hosackia have been transferred to Acmispon, Ottleya and Syrmatium.

[3] As of August 2023[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1] This Loteae-related article is a stub.