Lupinus longifolius
Longleaf bush lupine
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Lupinus longifolius (Longleaf bush lupine) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by shrub habit and very long inflorescences.
Longleaf bush lupine is a California native shrub found in southwestern California's coastal sage scrub and chaparral, ranging from coastal bluffs to inland canyons at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces violet to blue flowers with a yellow or white banner spot, arranged in clusters 20 to 45 centimeters long. Growing 10 to 15 decimeters tall with erect, greenish stems covered in soft short hairs, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its compound leaves have 5 to 10 leaflets, each 30 to 60 millimeters long, supported by stipules 5 to 14 millimeters in length and petioles 4 to 10 centimeters long. The fruit is a dark, hairy pod 4 to 6 centimeters long, containing 6 to 8 brown to gray seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; key features are shrub habit and very long inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, coastal bluffs to inland canyons
Elevation: < 500(1000) m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Lupinus longifolius blooms Apr-Jun.
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 longifolius native to California?
Yes. Lupinus longifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus longifolius bloom?
Lupinus longifolius blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lupinus longifolius belong to?
Lupinus longifolius is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus longifolius grow in?
Lupinus longifolius grows in Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, coastal bluffs to inland canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.