Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Lupinus formosus, the summer lupine, is a member of the lupine genus Lupinus in the Fabaceae family. This lupine is especially attractive to pollinators due to its summer-fall blooming season. Will spread slowly by rhizome. This species dies back in winter but usually resprouts in early spring. It is native to California. Lupinus formosus has been cited as a poisonous plant. Although it is not endangered it faces eradication in some areas at the hands of cattle farmers as it has been implicated in crooked calf disease. This lupine, along with five others, is poisonous from the time it starts growth in the spring until the seed pods shatter in late summer or early fall. However, the younger the plant the more toxic it is.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

8 - 31 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Purple

Flowering season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Moderate

Soil drainage

Slow

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need no treatment. Stored seeds scarification or hot water.

Site type

Dry clay soils, grassy places, open places, valleys

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest

Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 54 likely

Confirmed Likely

Boisduval's Blue

Icaricia icarioides

Mission Blue

Icaricia icarioides missionensis

Lupine Dagger

Acronicta lupini

Agrochola purpurea