Lupinus breweri var. bryoides
Matted brewer's lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides (Matted brewer's lupine) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by densely tufted habit, extremely small leaflets and flowers.
Matted brewer's lupine is a California native perennial found in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in open montane forest at elevations of 2,500 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces delicate flowers 4 to 7 millimeters long with glabrous keel and banner petals. Growing as a densely tufted perennial with a caudex that extends above ground, it forms compact clusters 10 to 20 centimeters tall. Its leaves are composed of tiny leaflets 3 to 5 millimeters long, creating a fine, intricate foliage pattern. The plant's short inflorescences, less than 2.5 centimeters long with peduncles under 2 centimeters, contribute to its low-growing, matted appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 65 sympatric species; key features are densely tufted habit, extremely small leaflets and flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally open montane forest
Elevation: 2500-4000 m
California counties: Tulare, Inyo, Ventura, Mono, Kern, Fresno, Nevada, Placer
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides 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 breweri var. bryoides native to California?
Yes. Lupinus breweri var. bryoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus breweri var. bryoides bloom?
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus breweri var. bryoides grow?
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides occurs in Tulare, Inyo, Ventura, Mono, Kern, Fresno, Nevada, Placer, at elevations of 2500-4000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus breweri var. bryoides belong to?
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus breweri var. bryoides grow in?
Lupinus breweri var. bryoides grows in Generally 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.