Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii
Hockett meadow lupine, Hockett Meadows Lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii (Hockett meadow lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by small size with open inflorescence (3-7 spaced whorls).
Hockett meadow lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, specifically in Kaweah River, Tulare, and Fresno counties, in moist meadows and seeps beneath lodgepole pine at elevations of 1,900 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces flowers with white to light yellow banner spots, clustered in 3 to 7 spaced whorls. Growing 15 to 40 centimeters tall with minimal stem development, it forms compact green clumps. Its leaves feature 10 to 30 millimeter leaflets distributed both at the base and along the stem, arranged in a delicate, open configuration. The inflorescence extends 4 to 12 centimeters, rising above the leaves with peduncles 8.5 to 16 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; small size with open inflorescence (3-7 spaced whorls)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist sites beneath lodgepole pine, meadows and seeps in granitic and limestone rocky areas
Elevation: 1900-3600 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 lepidus var. culbertsonii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii bloom?
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii grow?
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, at elevations of 1900-3600 m.
What plant family does Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii belong to?
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii rare or endangered?
Lupinus lepidus var. culbertsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
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.