Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii
Abrams' lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.2
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii (Abrams' lupine) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by woolly-shaggy hairiness vs silvery texture.
Abrams' lupine is a rare (CNPS 3.2) California native shrub found in the Santa Lucia Range in open woodland at elevations of 600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to purple flowers in dense clusters 15 to 25 centimeters long. Growing 2 to 6 meters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are densely woolly or shaggy-hairy, it forms a distinctive subshrub. Its palmate leaves have 7 to 10 leaflets, each 10 to 30 millimeters long, with prominent stipules 9 to 10 millimeters long. The plant's banner petals are slightly hairy, giving it a soft, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species - distinguished by woolly-shaggy hairiness vs silvery texture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland
Elevation: 600-2000 m
Bloom period
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.2
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Lupine has pea flowers and palmate leaves; sage has tubular two-lipped flowers and opposite leaves.; vs Artemisia: Lupine has large showy flower spikes; sagebrush has tiny inconspicuous flowers and silvery aromatic foliage.; vs Thermopsis: Lupine typically has 7-11 leaflets; false lupine has exactly 3 leaflets and bright yellow flowers.; vs Delphinium: Lupine has pea flowers; larkspur has flowers with prominent backward-pointing spur.; vs Vicia: Lupine is upright with palmate leaves; vetch is climbing with pinnate leaves and tendrils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii bloom?
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii belong to?
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii rare or endangered?
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.2, state rank S3?.
What habitat does Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii grow in?
Lupinus albifrons var. abramsii grows in Open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons — Silver bush lupine
- Lupinus albifrons var. austromontanus — Southern mountain lupine
- Lupinus albifrons var. collinus — Low-growing silver lupine
- Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii — Long-bracted silver lupine
- Lupinus albifrons var. hallii — Hall's bush lupine
- Lupinus albifrons var. johnstonii — Johnston's silver lupine
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.