Thermopsis robusta
Robust false-lupine
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Thermopsis robusta (Robust false-lupine) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large size, curved fruits, and high vein count.
Robust false-lupine is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in shale and serpentine habitats, open sites, and forests at elevations of 150 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in elongated clusters with 3 to 5 blooms per node. Growing 80 to 180 centimeters tall with stout, erect stems and few branches at the base, it develops a substantial green to gray-hairy appearance. Its leaflets are remarkably large, measuring 6 to 11 centimeters long and covered in dense, long, soft, and wavy hairs with 18 to 24 distinct lateral veins. The fruit is distinctively curved and spreading, densely covered in soft hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by large size, curved fruits, and high vein count
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shale, serpentine, open sites, forest
Elevation: 150-1500 m
Bloom period
Thermopsis robusta blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Lupinus: Thermopsis has all stamens free and separate; Lupinus has stamens fused into a tube.; vs Genista: Thermopsis has compound palmate leaves; Genista has simple undivided leaves or is nearly leafless.; vs Lotus: Thermopsis grows in mountains with large yellow flowers; Lotus is lowland with tiny yellow flowers.; vs Cleomella: Thermopsis has pea flowers; Cleomella has four-petaled flowers with long stamens.; vs Acmispon: Thermopsis has large yellow flowers (15-25 mm); Acmispon has tiny yellow flowers under 10 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thermopsis robusta native to California?
Yes. Thermopsis robusta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Thermopsis robusta bloom?
Thermopsis robusta blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Thermopsis robusta belong to?
Thermopsis robusta is in the Fabaceae family, genus Thermopsis.
Is Thermopsis robusta rare or endangered?
Thermopsis robusta carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Thermopsis robusta grow in?
Thermopsis robusta grows in Shale, serpentine, open sites, forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Thermopsis sp. — Golden pea
- Thermopsis californica — California goldenbanner
- Thermopsis californica var. argentata — Silvery false-lupine
- Thermopsis californica var. californica — California goldenbanner
- Thermopsis californica var. semota — Velvety false-lupine
- Thermopsis gracilis — Slender goldenbanner
- Trifolium albopurpureum — Indian clover
- Trifolium alexandrinum — Egyptian clover
- Trifolium amoenum — Two-fork clover
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.