Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus
Showy brewer's lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus (Showy brewer's lupine) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by larger flowers and longer inflorescences with hairy parts.
Showy brewer's lupine is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, and eastern Sierra Nevada in montane conifer forests at elevations of 2,000 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in compact clusters 2 to 10 centimeters long with distinctive silky banner petals. Growing with a matted form and an above-ground caudex extending across the terrain, it creates low-spreading patches in alpine environments. Its leaves are composed of 6 to 11 millimeter leaflets, arranged in a delicate, compact arrangement. The flower's keel is edged with fine cilia, adding a subtle textural detail to its elegant alpine presentation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 66 sympatric species; key features are larger flowers and longer inflorescences with hairy parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane conifer forests
Elevation: 2000-3500 m
California counties: Fresno, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Mono, Tulare, Kern, Tuolumne, Riverside, Placer, Sierra, Trinity, Nevada
Bloom period
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus blooms Jun-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. grandiflorus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus bloom?
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus grow?
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus occurs in Fresno, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Mono, Tulare, Kern, Tuolumne, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 2000-3500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus belong to?
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus grow in?
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus grows in Montane conifer forests.
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.