Thermopsis californica var. argentata

Silvery false-lupine

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Silvery false-lupine is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the northern California Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters covered in silvery soft hairs. Growing with erect stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive silvery-hairy appearance across its entire structure. Its compound leaves feature lanceolate to ovate stipules with long, straight, appressed soft hairs that give the plant a distinctive silvery sheen. The plant's delicate yellow blossoms and soft, silvery foliage make it a notable member of its woodland and chaparral habitats.

Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 1200-2200 m

Bioregions: CaR, WTR, MP.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.