Lupinus duranii
Mono lupine, Mono Lake Lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lupinus duranii (Mono lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by cushion habit, volcanic substrate, and white seeds.
Mono lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in Mono County, growing on dry volcanic pumice and gravel at elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces violet flowers with a cream or white banner spot, clustered in dense whorls 2 to 6 centimeters long. Growing as a robust, tufted perennial just 5 to 12 centimeters tall with shaggy-hairy stems, it forms a compact mountain wildflower. Its basal leaves have 5 to 8 leaflets, each 5 to 20 millimeters long, with prominent stipules 6 to 11 millimeters in length. The fruit is 1 to 2 centimeters long, containing 3 to 5 white seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; key features are cushion habit, volcanic substrate, and white seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry volcanic pumice, gravel
Elevation: 2000-3000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Bloom period
Lupinus duranii blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 duranii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus duranii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus duranii bloom?
Lupinus duranii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus duranii grow?
Lupinus duranii occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 2000-3000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus duranii belong to?
Lupinus duranii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus duranii rare or endangered?
Lupinus duranii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.