Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii
Long-bracted silver lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii (Long-bracted silver lupine) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by long bracts are highly diagnostic.
Long-bracted silver lupine is a California native shrub found in coastal areas including the central Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, Channel Islands, and western Transverse Ranges in coastal scrub, chaparral, and open woodland at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces silvery-white to purple flowers in elongated clusters 10 to 15 centimeters long. Growing as an erect shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with distinctively silver-silky foliage, it develops a robust branching structure. Its compound leaves feature 7 to 9 leaflets, each 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long, with prominent stipules 10 to 20 millimeters in length. The flower's banner is sparsely hairy, giving the plant a soft, lustrous appearance characteristic of its coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 46 sympatric species; long bracts are highly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Coastal scrub, chaparral, open woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Alameda, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Butte, Kern, Marin, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii blooms Mar-Jun.
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. douglasii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii bloom?
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii grow?
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii occurs in Alameda, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Butte, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii belong to?
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii grow in?
Lupinus albifrons var. douglasii grows in Common. Coastal scrub, chaparral, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.