Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Lupinus nipomensis, the Nipomo lupine, is an endangered plant species faced with an alarming vulnerability to extinction from invasive species, habitat fragmentation, and variable abiotic factors. In Munz's 1963, The California Flora, Nipomo lupine was determined to be a divergent population of Bajada lupine (Lupinus concinnus), creating uncertainty about the species resolution to the present day, despite documented differences in habitat, geographic distribution, and morphology. Furthermore, the taxonomic ambiguity surrounding Nipomo lupine has hindered conservation efforts. Here, we provide phylogenetic evidence to demonstrate that Lupinus nipomensis is a clearly circumscribed species and separate lineage from other clades, particularly Lupinus concinnus.

Presented at the 2026 URCA Week Poster Colloquium, a platform for students from various disciplines to present their research findings and creative projects to the university community and beyond.