Lupinus formosus var. formosus
Western lupine
Photo: parent species Lupinus formosus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus formosus var. formosus (Western lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by rhizomes, gray-silver appearance, and thin stems.
Western lupine is a California native perennial found in the California Floristic Province and Mojave Desert in dry clay soils, grasslands, and open pine woodlands at elevations up to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces blue to purple flowers about 10 to 14 millimeters long in distinctive clusters. Growing with sturdy stems 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter, it forms upright clumps reaching 30 to 60 centimeters tall. Its compound leaves are composed of 5 to 7 narrow, elongated leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand, giving the plant a delicate, fan-like appearance. In dry habitats, this lupine serves as an important nectar source for native pollinators and adds vibrant color to California's grassland and woodland landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 99 sympatric species; key features are rhizomes, gray-silver appearance, and thin stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry clay soils, grasslands, open areas under pines
Elevation: < 1000(3000) m
California counties: Kern, Tuolumne, Alameda, Los Angeles, Tulare, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, San Mateo, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Humboldt, Marin, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Solano, Mono, Ventura, Contra Costa, Lake, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Calaveras, Fresno, El Dorado, San Benito, Yolo, Mariposa
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Lupinus formosus var. formosus blooms Apr-Sep.
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 formosus var. formosus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus formosus var. formosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus formosus var. formosus bloom?
Lupinus formosus var. formosus blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Lupinus formosus var. formosus grow?
Lupinus formosus var. formosus occurs in Kern, Tuolumne, Alameda, Los Angeles, Tulare, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 1000(3000) m.
What plant family does Lupinus formosus var. formosus belong to?
Lupinus formosus var. formosus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus formosus var. formosus grow in?
Lupinus formosus var. formosus grows in dry clay soils, grasslands, open areas under pines.
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.