Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus
Intermountain lupine
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus (Intermountain lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by CNPS 2B.3, distinctive small size and constricted pods.
Intermountain lupine is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the Great Basin in Modoc and Inyo counties, growing in open sandy areas and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 500 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale blue flowers fading to pink or white, with a distinctive white or yellow banner spot, measuring 6 to 8 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 12 centimeters tall with dense hair more than 1 millimeter long, it has a compact growth habit with leaves clustered near the base. Its leaves are divided into 5 to 6 leaflets, each 10 to 20 millimeters long and about 5 millimeters wide, appearing smooth on the upper surface. The fruit is an oblong pod 1.5 to 2 centimeters long, containing two wrinkled seeds with ridged margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; CNPS 2B.3, distinctive small size and constricted pods
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy areas, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 500-2100 m
California counties: Kern, Inyo, Modoc, Lassen, Mono
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 pusillus var. intermontanus native to California?
Yes. Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus bloom?
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus grow?
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus occurs in Kern, Inyo, Modoc, Lassen, Mono, at elevations of 500-2100 m.
What plant family does Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus belong to?
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus rare or endangered?
Lupinus pusillus var. intermontanus carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.