Lupinus fulcratus
Green stipuled lupine
(c) Reid Hardin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus fulcratus (Green stipuled lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large green stipules.
Green stipuled lupine is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in mixed conifer forest with granitic soils at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces blue flowers with white-spotted banners 10 to 14 millimeters long, arranged in whorled clusters along the inflorescence. Growing 30 to 80 centimeters tall with an erect stem and spreading green hairs, it develops distinctive leaf-like stipules 6 to 30 millimeters long. Its compound leaves have 6 to 9 leaflets, each 20 to 60 millimeters long, creating a delicate, multi-parted foliage structure. The fruit is a silky pod 2 to 4 centimeters long, containing 2 to 6 beige and brown-mottled seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; key feature is large green stipules
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed conifer forest, in granitic soils
Elevation: 1500-3000 m
California counties: Alpine, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Amador, Mono, Los Angeles, Calaveras, Marin
Bloom period
Lupinus fulcratus blooms May-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 fulcratus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus fulcratus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus fulcratus bloom?
Lupinus fulcratus blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Lupinus fulcratus grow?
Lupinus fulcratus occurs in Alpine, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus fulcratus belong to?
Lupinus fulcratus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus fulcratus grow in?
Lupinus fulcratus grows in Mixed conifer forest, in granitic soils.
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.