Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis
Utah dwarf lupine, Stemless Lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis (Utah dwarf lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Utah dwarf lupine is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the White Mountains on sandy or rocky sites with sagebrush and lodgepole pine at elevations of 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white-spotted flowers with ciliate keel margins, nestled in compact clusters 2 to 3 centimeters long. Growing as a densely hairy, matted plant 10 to 25 centimeters tall with short, tufted stems, it forms low, compact mats across its mountain habitat. Its leaves appear basal, measuring 8 to 20 millimeters long, and are densely covered in fine hairs. The plant's short-lived perennial nature allows it to thrive in harsh, high-elevation environments with sparse, rocky terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand or rocks, with sagebrush, lodgepole pine
Elevation: 1500-3500 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Lassen
Outside California: Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming
Bloom period
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. utahensis native to California?
Yes. Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis bloom?
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis grow?
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis occurs in Mono, Inyo, Lassen, at elevations of 1500-3500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis belong to?
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis rare or endangered?
Lupinus lepidus var. utahensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, 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.