Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus
Small flowered sierran lupine
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus (Small flowered sierran lupine) is a native California perennial in the Fabaceae family, recognized by very small flower size.
Small flowered sierran lupine is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in dry banks, red fir and lodgepole pine forests, and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces dull blue to lilac flowers with a yellow banner spot, ranging 5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing 20 to 90 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it features stems covered in appressed silvery to gray-green foliage. Its cauline leaves are distinctively silvery, with an appressed texture that gives the plant a soft, muted appearance. The plant forms compact clusters characteristic of its high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; very small flower size is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry banks, red fir and lodgepole pine forests, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1500-3500 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne, Inyo, Alpine, Modoc, Placer, Nevada, Madera, Lassen, Plumas, El Dorado, Tehama, Amador, Shasta, Sierra
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus blooms Jul-Aug.
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. meionanthus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus bloom?
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus grow?
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, Inyo, Alpine, Modoc, Placer, Nevada, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus belong to?
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus grow in?
Lupinus argenteus var. meionanthus grows in dry banks, red fir and lodgepole pine forests, sagebrush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.