Lupine at 10,500 feet on the back side of Mammoth Mountain. Found this field of flowers right smack in the middle of the Off the Top Mountain Bike Trail. These flowers are about 1/2 to 3/4 quarters of a mile from the start of the trailhead.

Lupinus polyphyllus is a species in the Fabaceae (Legume) family that is native to a large part of western North America. In California, it is found primarily in the Sierras and other northern mountains.

It commonly grows along streams and creeks, preferring moist habitats. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with stout stems growing to 1.5 meters tall.

The leaves are palmately compound with (5-) 9-17 leaflets 3-15 centimeters long. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, each flower 1-1.5 centimeters long, most commonly blue to purple in wild plants. It is almost always grown from seed.

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