Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola
Coso mountain lupine, Coso Mountains Lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola (Coso mountain lupine) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by flower size and inflorescence length from var. magnificus.
Coso mountain lupine is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in southeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Mojave Desert bioregions in desert slopes, washes, sagebrush scrub, and Joshua tree woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in elongated clusters 10 to 30 centimeters long with delicate, slender flower stalks. Growing with upright stems that spread 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive clumps in arid landscapes. Its compound leaves are composed of multiple narrow, pointed leaflets arranged in a palmate pattern, typical of lupine species. The flowers have a distinctively curved keel, measuring 10 to 12 millimeters long, creating an elegant, arching silhouette against the desert backdrop.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; distinguished by flower size and inflorescence length from var. magnificus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert slopes, washes, sagebrush scrub, Joshua tree woodland, desert scrub
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola blooms Apr-Jun.
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 magnificus var. glarecola native to California?
Yes. Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola bloom?
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola grow?
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1000-2500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola belong to?
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola rare or endangered?
Lupinus magnificus var. glarecola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus — Shaggy haired chick lupine
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.