Lupinus albifrons var. hallii
Hall's bush lupine
no rights reserved, uploaded by Steve Woodward · CC0
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii (Hall's bush lupine) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by greenish-hairy shrub habit vs silver-hairy relatives.
Hall's bush lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern coastal mountain ranges including Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Peninsular Ranges in coastal sage scrub and chaparral at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces distinctive purple to blue flowers 14 to 18 millimeters long in compact clusters. Growing 50 to 150 centimeters tall with an upright, rounded form, it features greenish-hairy branches that create a dense, textured appearance. Its compound leaves are composed of 5 to 7 narrow, elongated leaflets that spread outward from a central point, giving the shrub a delicate, feathery texture. Its silvery-green foliage and vibrant flower clusters make it a striking component of southern California's dry mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; key features are greenish-hairy shrub habit vs silver-hairy relatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sage scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 1500 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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. hallii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus albifrons var. hallii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus albifrons var. hallii bloom?
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lupinus albifrons var. hallii belong to?
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus albifrons var. hallii rare or endangered?
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lupinus albifrons var. hallii grow in?
Lupinus albifrons var. hallii grows in Coastal sage scrub, chaparral.
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.