Lupinus citrinus var. citrinus

Orange lupine

Family: Fabaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Orange lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada foothills in Fresno and Madera counties, growing in granitic soils of chaparral, foothill woodland, and yellow-pine forest openings at elevations of 600 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces striking gold-yellow flowers that dry to a translucent purple-tinged hue. Growing low to the ground with stems 10 to 27 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in open woodland areas. Its leaves are typical of lupines, with multiple leaflets arranged in a palmate pattern, creating a delicate, fan-like appearance. The diminutive size and vibrant gold flowers make this lupine a distinctive inhabitant of California's foothill landscapes.

Habitat: Granitic soils, chaparral, foothill woodland, openings in yellow-pine forest

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: 600-1700 m

Bioregions: c SNF (Fresno, Madera cos.).

California counties: Madera, Fresno

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.