Lupinus tidestromii
Tidestrom's lupine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Lupinus tidestromii (Tidestrom's lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive prostrate coastal dune habitat and growth form.
Tidestrom's lupine is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.1 by CNPS, found in southern North Coast and central Coast ranges including Sonoma, Marin, and Monterey counties on coastal dunes and beaches at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces light blue to lavender flowers with white to yellow spots that turn violet, approximately 11 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with weak, prostrate stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and covered in white shaggy hairs, it has a sprawling habit with sometimes weak rhizomes. Its leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets, each 5 to 20 millimeters long, carried on petioles 1 to 3 centimeters in length. The fruit is a shaggy-hairy pod 2 to 3 centimeters long, containing 5 to 8 mottled brown and tan seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; distinctive prostrate coastal dune habitat and growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dunes, beaches
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Monterey, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Humboldt
Bloom period
Lupinus tidestromii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 tidestromii native to California?
Yes. Lupinus tidestromii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lupinus tidestromii bloom?
Lupinus tidestromii blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lupinus tidestromii grow?
Lupinus tidestromii occurs in Monterey, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Humboldt, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Lupinus tidestromii belong to?
Lupinus tidestromii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lupinus.
Is Lupinus tidestromii rare or endangered?
Lupinus tidestromii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.