Lupinus elmeri
South fork mountain lupine, South Fork Mountain Lupine
(c) Asher Budnik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Asher Budnik · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lupinus elmeri (South fork mountain lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by restricted range and red stem base.
South fork mountain lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northwestern North Coast Ranges, specifically in South Fork Mountain area of Humboldt and Trinity counties, in open areas within conifer forest at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with an upcurved keel, spiraled in clusters 15 to 20 centimeters long. Growing 60 to 90 centimeters tall with erect green stems emerging from a stout red base, it has an upright and sturdy appearance. Its leaves are compound with 6 to 10 leaflets, each 15 to 60 millimeters long, covered in soft, wavy hairs and arranged on petioles 1 to 7 centimeters long. The fruit is a hairy pod measuring 2.5 to 5 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; key features are restricted range and red stem base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas in conifer forest
Elevation: (1370)1500-2000 m
California counties: Trinity, Humboldt, Lake
Bloom period
Lupinus elmeri blooms Jun-Jul.
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 elmeri native to California?
Yes. Lupinus elmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus elmeri bloom?
Lupinus elmeri blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Lupinus elmeri grow?
Lupinus elmeri occurs in Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, at elevations of (1370)1500-2000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus elmeri belong to?
Lupinus elmeri is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus elmeri rare or endangered?
Lupinus elmeri 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.