Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis
Rose chick lupine
Photo: parent species Lupinus microcarpus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis (Rose chick lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive persistent wing petals and purple coloration.
Rose chick lupine is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, southern San Joaquin Valley, western Transverse Ranges, and eastern Mojave Desert in washes, sandy, and gravelly habitats at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers that become translucent with age, with widely elliptic wings that persist after blooming. Growing with spreading-hairy stems, it forms low, horizontal clusters characteristic of its variety. Its leaves have multiple leaflets with delicate, hairy surfaces typical of lupine species. The flowers feature distinctive wing petals with ciliate margins near the base, creating a soft, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 54 sympatric species; distinctive persistent wing petals and purple coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, sand, gravel
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Shasta, Inyo, Fresno, Kings, Ventura, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Merced
Bloom period
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis blooms Apr-May.
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 microcarpus var. horizontalis native to California?
Yes. Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis bloom?
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis grow?
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis occurs in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Shasta, Inyo, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis belong to?
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis grow in?
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis grows in Washes, sand, gravel.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.