It is native to California and Oregon, where it grows along the coast and in dry and open meadows, prairies and forest clearings.

The plant is deer-resistant due to the presence of the bitter-tasting alkaloid toxins anagyrine and lupinine.

[5] Because of these toxins lupines can negatively affect livestock, causing birth defects and decreasing weight especially in young, inexperienced cattle.

[5] When cows are under stress from lactating, especially in times of low forage availability, they will consume more lupine than usual.

Due to its potential danger to livestock, this lupine is removed from rangeland when possible, eliminating a crucial food plant from the butterfly's range[citation needed].