Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,072 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Miniature Lupine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Miniature Lupine
Lupinus bicolor is a species of lupine known as the miniature lupine, Lindley's annual lupine, pigmy-leaved lupine, or bicolor lupine....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Miniature Lupine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,676 | April | Mar–May |
| Oregon | 313 | April | Apr–May |
| Washington | 83 | May | May–Jun |
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 Miniature Lupine?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Miniature Lupine most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.