Lupinus formosus var. robustus

Robust western lupine

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Robust western lupine is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, central Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, southern Coast Ranges, and southwestern California in valley grassland habitats at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces flowers 16 to 18 millimeters long with typical lupine coloration. Growing with sturdy stems 5 to 7 millimeters in diameter, it forms substantial clumps in open grassland areas. Its compound leaves feature multiple leaflets typical of lupine species, creating a distinctive palmate arrangement. The plant's robust growth and compact stem structure make it a notable component of California's native grassland ecosystems.

Habitat: Valley grassland

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1500 m

Bioregions: SNF, c SNH, GV, SCoRO, SW.

California counties: Los Angeles, Colusa, San Diego, Ventura, Madera, Fresno, Kern, Merced, Butte, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Tehama, Kings, Solano, Stanislaus, Alameda, San Joaquin, Mendocino, Napa, Tuolumne, Lake, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Glenn, San Benito

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