Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus
Hairy bannered inyo meadow lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus (Hairy bannered inyo meadow lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by var. pratensis only by hairy banner back.
Hairy bannered inyo meadow lupine is a California native perennial found in the southern eastern Sierra Nevada in the Big Pine Creek area of Inyo County, inhabiting moist places at elevations of 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this lupine produces flowers with distinctive hairy banners that create a soft, textured appearance. Growing with erect stems that form clumped clusters, it reaches moderate heights typical of mountain meadow lupines. Its compound leaves feature multiple leaflets arranged in a palmate pattern, creating a delicate green backdrop for its flowering stalks. The plant's dense, hairy banner gives it a unique character among alpine meadow wildflowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; distinguished from var. pratensis only by hairy banner back
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places
Elevation: 1500-3500 m
Bloom period
Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus blooms May-Sep.
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 pratensis var. eriostachyus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus bloom?
Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus belong to?
Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus grow in?
Lupinus pratensis var. eriostachyus grows in Moist places.
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.