Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis
Inyo meadow lupine
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis (Inyo meadow lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive orange to red banner spots.
Inyo meadow lupine is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains and eastern Sierra Nevada in meadows, streambanks, sagebrush scrub, and subalpine forest at elevations of 2,000 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to purple flowers with a glabrous banner. Growing with upright stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters in alpine and subalpine environments. Its compound leaves have multiple narrow leaflets arranged palmately, typical of lupine species. The plant's compact growth and ability to thrive in high-elevation habitats make it a characteristic component of mountain meadow ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; distinctive orange to red banner spots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, streambanks, sagebrush scrub to subalpine forest
Elevation: 2000-3500 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Alpine, Tuolumne, Mono
Bloom period
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis 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. pratensis native to California?
Yes. Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis bloom?
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis grow?
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Alpine, Tuolumne, Mono, at elevations of 2000-3500 m.
What plant family does Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis belong to?
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis grow in?
Lupinus pratensis var. pratensis grows in Meadows, streambanks, sagebrush scrub to subalpine forest.
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.