Lupinus flavoculatus
Yellow eyed lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus flavoculatus (Yellow eyed lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by bright blue flowers, persistent cotyledons, and one-sided fruiting.
Yellow eyed lupine is a California native annual found in western Inyo and eastern Mojave Desert Mountains in sand or gravel, creosote bush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 600 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright blue flowers with a distinctive yellow banner spot that turns purple, approximately 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with crowded stems near the base, it has distinctive disk-like cotyledons that persist throughout its growth. Its leaves are compound with 7 to 9 leaflets, each 10 to 20 millimeters long and 5 to 8 millimeters wide, with smooth upper surfaces. The fruit is ovate, hairy, and typically develops on one side of the flower cluster, containing 1 to 2 wrinkled seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; key features are bright blue flowers, persistent cotyledons, and one-sided fruiting
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or gravel, creosote bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: < 600-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Fresno, Los Angeles, Stanislaus
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Lupinus flavoculatus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 flavoculatus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus flavoculatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus flavoculatus bloom?
Lupinus flavoculatus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus flavoculatus grow?
Lupinus flavoculatus occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Fresno, Los Angeles, Stanislaus, at elevations of < 600-2300 m.
What plant family does Lupinus flavoculatus belong to?
Lupinus flavoculatus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus flavoculatus grow in?
Lupinus flavoculatus grows in Sand or gravel, creosote bush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.