Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus

Meadow lupine

Lupinus polyphyllus — parent species of Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus

Photo: parent species Lupinus polyphyllus · (c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native

Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus (Meadow lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by var. burkei by larger leaflets and hair patterns.

Meadow lupine is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and Cascade Range in moist areas at elevations below 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces flowers with colors not specified in the source data. Growing 5.5 to 12 meters tall with a hollow-based stem and an underground caudex, it forms a distinctive perennial cluster. Its compound leaves feature 9 to 17 leaflets, each 6 to 15 centimeters long, with a strigose lower surface and glabrous to slightly puberulent upper surface. The flower's upper keel margins are notably glabrous, creating a clean, smooth appearance.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 38 sympatric species; distinguished from var. burkei by larger leaflets and hair patterns

Habitat and range

Habitat: Moist areas

Elevation: < 3000 m

Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, introduced in eastern Canada and adjacent United States, Europe, New Zealand, Australia

Bloom period

Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus blooms May-Aug.

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 polyphyllus var. polyphyllus native to California?

Yes. Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus bloom?

Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus blooms May-Aug.

What plant family does Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus belong to?

Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.

What habitat does Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus grow in?

Lupinus polyphyllus var. polyphyllus grows in Moist areas.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Lupinus species · All Fabaceae

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.