Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri
Palmer's lupine
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri (Palmer's lupine) is a native California perennial in the Fabaceae family, recognized by long-spreading stem hairs vs appressed hairs.
Palmer's lupine is a California native perennial found in the high Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada ranges in dry, open montane forest at elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces blue flowers 8 to 10 millimeters long with a hairy banner. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with long-spreading stem hairs, it forms an upright clump with distinctively textured foliage. Its leaves are densely covered in gray and silver-silky hairs, with leaflets that tend to fold slightly, creating a soft, silvery appearance. The plant's delicate blue flowers and silver-gray foliage make it a distinctive feature of its montane forest habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species - distinguished by long-spreading stem hairs vs appressed hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open montane forest
Elevation: 2000-2500 m
California counties: Alpine, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta
Outside California: to Washington, Utah, New Mexico
Bloom period
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri blooms May-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 argenteus var. palmeri native to California?
Yes. Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri bloom?
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri grow?
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri occurs in Alpine, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, at elevations of 2000-2500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri belong to?
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri grow in?
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri grows in Dry, open montane forest.
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.