Lupinus arizonicus
Arizona lupine
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus arizonicus (Arizona lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by desert habitat and pink/magenta flowers distinctive.
Arizona lupine is a California native annual found in eastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert regions in sandy washes and open areas at elevations below 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces dark pink to magenta flowers that dry to blue-purple, with distinctive yellow banner spots that darken to deeper magenta with age. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with short-appressed and long-spreading hairs, it has an open, branching form. Its compound leaves feature 6 to 10 leaflets, each 10 to 40 millimeters long and 4 to 12 millimeters wide, with smooth upper surfaces. The fruit develops along one side of the flowering stem, measuring 1 to 2 centimeters long and covered in coarse hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; desert habitat and pink/magenta flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Sandy washes, open areas
Elevation: < 1100 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Lupinus arizonicus blooms Mar-May.
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 arizonicus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus arizonicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus arizonicus bloom?
Lupinus arizonicus blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Lupinus arizonicus grow?
Lupinus arizonicus occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1100 m.
What plant family does Lupinus arizonicus belong to?
Lupinus arizonicus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus arizonicus grow in?
Lupinus arizonicus grows in Locally common. Sandy washes, open areas.
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.