Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus
Silver spurred lupine
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus (Silver spurred lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by combination of silver foliage and spur.
Silver spurred lupine is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions in dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces violet or blue to white flowers 8 to 14 millimeters long with a distinctive 1 to 2 millimeter calyx spur. Growing 20 to 80 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it develops stems and leaves densely covered in silvery-silky hairs. Its leaves are primarily basal or partially cauline, with a soft, silvery appearance that gives the plant its distinctive texture. The flower banner is silky on the back, while the wing petals remain smooth and glabrous.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 62 sympatric species; combination of silver foliage and spur is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1000-3000 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc, Inyo, Mono, Shasta, Alpine, Nevada, Sierra, Kern, Mariposa, Placer, Siskiyou, Tuolumne, Plumas, El Dorado, Tehama
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus blooms May-Sep.
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 argenteus var. heteranthus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus bloom?
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus grow?
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus occurs in Lassen, Modoc, Inyo, Mono, Shasta, Alpine, Nevada, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 1000-3000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus belong to?
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus grow in?
Lupinus argenteus var. heteranthus grows in Dry, open slopes, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.