Lupinus albifrons var. medius
Mountain springs lupine, Mountain Springs Bush Lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Lupinus albifrons var. medius (Mountain springs lupine) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by desert habitat and long petioles.
Mountain springs lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in southwestern Desert Sonoran regions in desert washes, creosote bush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in compact clusters 3 to 14 centimeters long. Growing as a subshrub less than 70 centimeters tall, it is characterized by its striking silver-tomentose (densely woolly) foliage. Its leaves feature elongated petioles generally over 12 centimeters long, with distinctive silvery-white surfaces that provide excellent adaptation to arid desert environments. The compact, silvery shrub offers a stunning visual contrast in its harsh desert habitat, with flowers emerging in early spring.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; key features are desert habitat and long petioles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert washes, creosote bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Lupinus albifrons var. medius blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. medius native to California?
Yes. Lupinus albifrons var. medius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus albifrons var. medius bloom?
Lupinus albifrons var. medius blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Lupinus albifrons var. medius grow?
Lupinus albifrons var. medius occurs in Imperial, San Diego, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus albifrons var. medius belong to?
Lupinus albifrons var. medius is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus albifrons var. medius rare or endangered?
Lupinus albifrons var. medius carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.