Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus
Branched dwarf lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus (Branched dwarf lupine) is a native California perennial in the Fabaceae family, recognized by shaggy-hairy with branched stems and open inflorescence.
Branched dwarf lupine is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in subalpine habitats at elevations of 2,300 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces blue flowers with white to yellow banner spots, arranged in 3 to 7 well-spaced whorls. Growing 13 to 30 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are shaggy-hairy, it develops a distinctive low-growing habit. Its leaves have 5 to 15 leaflets, typically distributed from basal to cauline positions with a delicate, compact arrangement. The plant's slender inflorescence emerges above the leaves, creating an open, airy display of blue and white blooms characteristic of high-elevation alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; shaggy-hairy with branched stems and open inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine
Elevation: 2300-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Fresno, Inyo, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, Alpine
Bloom period
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus blooms Jul-Aug.
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. ramosus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus bloom?
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus grow?
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus occurs in Mono, Fresno, Inyo, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera, Alpine, at elevations of 2300-4000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus belong to?
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus grow in?
Lupinus lepidus var. ramosus grows in Subalpine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.