Lupinus milobakeri
Milo baker's lupine, Milo Baker's Lupine
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lupinus milobakeri (Milo baker's lupine) is a native California annual in the Fabaceae family, recognized by CNPS 1B.1, distinctive size and keel ciliate margins.
Milo baker's lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the northern Coast Ranges around Covelo, Mendocino County in woodland and grassland at elevations of 395 to 430 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces blue to yellowish flowers 13 to 14 millimeters long in crowded whorls along dense inflorescences. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with hard, rigid stems that appear glaucous and become increasingly glabrous with age, it develops a distinctive structure with persistent disk-like cotyledons. Its leaves feature 7 to 9 leaflets 10 to 30 millimeters long, typically hairy on the upper surface, with small stipules 3 to 6 millimeters long. The plant produces spreading ovate fruits 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, containing two dark brown, tubercled seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; CNPS 1B.1, distinctive size and keel ciliate margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Woodland, grassland, open, disturbed sites
Elevation: 395-430 m
California counties: Mendocino, Colusa
Bloom period
Lupinus milobakeri blooms (Jun)Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 milobakeri native to California?
Yes. Lupinus milobakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus milobakeri bloom?
Lupinus milobakeri blooms (Jun)Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Lupinus milobakeri grow?
Lupinus milobakeri occurs in Mendocino, Colusa, at elevations of 395-430 m.
What plant family does Lupinus milobakeri belong to?
Lupinus milobakeri is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus milobakeri rare or endangered?
Lupinus milobakeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.