Herbs, perennial, 1–3 dm, white-shaggy-hairy; sometimes weakly rhizomatous. Cotyle­dons deciduous, petiolate. Stems ± prostrate, branched, weak. Leaves cauline; stipules 8–12 mm; petiole 1–3 cm; leaflets 3–5, blades 5–20 × 2–5 mm, adaxial sur­face sericeous. Peduncles 4–8 cm; bracts deciduous, 4–5 mm. Racemes open, 2–10 cm; flowers whorled. Pedicels 3–5 mm. Flowers 11–13 mm; calyx 5–6 mm, bulge or spur 0–1 mm, abaxial lobe entire or notched, adaxial lobe deeply notched; corolla light blue to lavender, banner patch white to yellow turning violet, banner glabrous abaxially, lower keel margins glabrous, adaxial margin ciliate claw to tip. Legumes 2–3 cm, shaggy. Seeds 5–8, tan, mottled brown, 3–4 mm.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Dunes, beaches.
Elevation: 0–100 m.

Distribution

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Calif.

Discussion

Lupinus tidestromii is known from coastal areas of Marin, Monterey, and Sonoma counties.

Shaggier plants from the northern North Coast geographic region of California have been called var. layneae, commonly known as the Point Reyes lupine.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.