Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus
Rock lupine
Photo: parent species Lupinus polyphyllus · (c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus (Rock lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by in Modoc Plateau; distinguished by short stature, green foliage, and dense inflorescence.
Rock lupine is a California native perennial found in the Warner Mountains in sagebrush scrub and open areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces blue flowers with a yellow spot that later turn violet, arranged in dense clusters up to 20 centimeters long. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with erect green stems that are not hollow, it develops a robust clump-like form. Its leaves feature 6 to 12 leaflets, each 10 to 40 millimeters long, with long hairs along the margins and stiff hairs on the lower leaf surface. The plant produces shaggy-haired fruits containing 4 to 6 brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species in Modoc Plateau; distinguished by short stature, green foliage, and dense inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, open areas
Elevation: 1000-2500 m
Outside California: to Washington, southwest Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus blooms (Apr)May-Jun(Jul).
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. saxosus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus bloom?
Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus blooms (Apr)May-Jun(Jul).
What plant family does Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus belong to?
Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus grow in?
Lupinus polyphyllus var. saxosus grows in Sagebrush scrub, open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.