Manycolored Lupine

Many-colored Lupine is a low-lying, shrubby lupine growing up to 20 inches tall. The spreading, hairy branches sprout many silvery palmately compound leaves, composed of several folded leaflets. Sometimes, the base is woody, though it is often spongy green when young. The short clusters of pea flowers, which grow in several separated layers, can come in many pale colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and white.

Basic Information

• Member of the Fabaceae, or pea, family

• Shrub

Habitat

• Native to the coast of northern California

  • Endemic to California in its restricted range

• Found directly along the shores primarily in dunes, coastal scrub, and coastal prairie

Ecological Role

• One of the only food plants of the endangered mission blue butterfly

Reproduction

• Blooms in from April to July

Alternative Names

• Varied lupine, Lindley's varied lupine, varicolored lupine