Coulter's lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,087 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Coulter's lupine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Coulter's lupine
Lupinus sparsiflorus (Coulter's lupine) is a species of lupin native to North America. In the United States it occurs in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, and in Mexico it is found in Baja California and Sonora. Other common names include Mojave lupine, a name it shares with Lupinus odoratus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Coulter's lupine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 710 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Arizona | 349 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Nevada | 26 | March | Mar–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Coulter's lupine?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Coulter's lupine most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.