Lupinus microcarpus is an annual plant growing to 80-centimetre (31 in) tall. The leaves are palmately compound with 5-11 leaflets 1-centimetre (0.39 in)–5-centimetre (2.0 in) long and up to 1-centimetre (0.39 in) broad.
The flowers are generally pink to purple in color, but can also be between white and yellow; they are produced in open whorls on an erect spike.
Lupinus microcarpus grows from sea level in the north of its range, up to 1,600-metre (5,200 ft) high in Southern California.
Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus - whitewhorl lupine[1] or dense-flowered lupine. Endemic and restricted to western California (formerly Lupinus densiflorus).[2]
Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis. Endemic and restricted to southeastern California deserts.[3]
Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus. Widespread, British Columbia to Chile.[4]
