Lupinus shockleyi
Desert lupine, Desert Lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lupinus shockleyi (Desert lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by in desert regions; distinctive inflated, hairy pods and small flowers.
Desert lupine is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert bioregion in open, sandy areas and creosote bush scrub at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces dark blue-purple flowers with a distinctive yellow banner spot, clustered in small spiraled inflorescences. Growing 0.5 to 3 decimeters tall with a canescent (grayish-white hairy) appearance, it has stems with leaves crowded near the base. Its compound leaves feature 8 to 10 leaflets, each 10 to 30 millimeters long and glabrous on the upper surface. The fruit is an ovate pod 1.5 to 2 centimeters long, densely covered with stiff, long cilia along its wavy upper suture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species in desert regions; distinctive inflated, hairy pods and small flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy areas, creosote bush scrub
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Lupinus shockleyi blooms Mar-May.
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 shockleyi native to California?
Yes. Lupinus shockleyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus shockleyi bloom?
Lupinus shockleyi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Lupinus shockleyi grow?
Lupinus shockleyi occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Lupinus shockleyi belong to?
Lupinus shockleyi is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
What habitat does Lupinus shockleyi grow in?
Lupinus shockleyi grows in Open, sandy areas, creosote bush scrub.
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.