Lupinus magnificus
Magnificent lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Lupinus magnificus (Magnificent lupine) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family.
Magnificent lupine is a California native perennial herb found in mountain and foothill regions at elevations of 600 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces lavender to rose flowers with distinctive yellow spots that turn purple, arranged in whorled inflorescences 10 to 45 centimeters long. Growing with erect, branched stems 60 to 120 centimeters tall that are covered in sharp, stiff white hairs, it develops a robust and textured appearance. Its leaves are primarily basal with 5 to 9 leaflets, each 20 to 55 millimeters long, creating a delicate, palmate arrangement. The fruit is a densely hairy pod 3 to 7 centimeters long, containing 5 to 8 tan seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated
Habitat and range
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
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 magnificus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus magnificus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lupinus magnificus grow?
Lupinus magnificus occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino.
What plant family does Lupinus magnificus belong to?
Lupinus magnificus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola — Coso mountain lupine
- Lupinus magnificus var. hesperius — Mcgee meadow lupine
- Lupinus magnificus var. magnificus — Panamint mountain lupine
- Lupinus microcarpus — Chick lupine
- Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus — Secund chick lupine
- Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis — Rose chick lupine
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.