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Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Lupinus perennis var. gracilis
Phonetic Spelling
loo-PIE-nus per-EN-is
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Wild lupine is a native perennial in the bean (Fabaceae) family. Found in many eastern and central states including NC. It is a wildlife-friendly plant that produces showy blue flowers in spring and may die down in the heat of the summer. As with all plants in the bean family, it fixes nitrogen allowing it to tolerate poor-nutrient soil. Loss of habitat threats the wild lupine in some areas.

Lupinus comes from the Latin word for wolf and derives from the mistaken belief that these plants "wolf" down nutrients from the soil. The species name perennis comes from the Latin word for perennial or lasting throughout the year. The common name sundial lupine comes from the habit of the flowers facing the sun.

Multiple spikes of showy pea-shaped flowers appear in spring and early summer and are followed by 2-inch-long legumes. The compound leaves are attractive and appear on long stems. The plant prefers cool weather for growing and may be short-lived. They will spread by short rhizomes and seeds. Propagation is by root cuttings or seeds. Scarification of the seeds helps improve germination.

This plant prefers moist to dry acidic sandy loams and full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to other soils but they must be well drained. Use this plant in the middle of the border, in naturalized areas, in native gardens and the edge of woods.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problem free but can experience aphids, brown-spot fungus and powdery mildew. Can be short-lived. Poisonous to humans and pets.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. perennis
    Northern variety
var. perennis
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#blue flowers#small mammals#NC native#nitrogen fixation#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#host plant#poisonous seed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. perennis
    Northern variety
var. perennis
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#poisonous#blue flowers#small mammals#NC native#nitrogen fixation#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bird friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#host plant#poisonous seed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lupinus
    Species:
    perennis
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and Central USA
    Distribution:
    AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: NB, ON
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Host plant for Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa sub. samuelis) and Frosted Elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus). Small mammals and birds will eat the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The pea pods are hairy and about 2 inches long. They turn black at maturity and have 2-7 seeds that can be expelled several feet when the pod splits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blue flowers appear on multiple spikes up to 8 inches long. They are typical pea-shaped flowers with 5 petals that may be two-toned in blue and purple or blue and white. They can also rarely appear as pink or white flowers. Each individual flower is 3/4 to 1 inch long. The lower petals are forced open by bees to reveal a horn-shaped stamen. Blooms in late spring to early summer and last about 1 month.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The green palmate compound leaves grow on a long stalk and have 7-11 leaflets that radiate from a central point. Leaflets are oblanceolate, with hairy undersides and are up to 2.5 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. The base is tapered, the tip is rounded and may have a sharp point at the apex.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The green to reddish-green stems can be angular or round with hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Short-lived
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Seeds pisionous if eaten in lrge quantities. Symptoms include respiratory depression and slow heartbeat, sleepiness, and convulsions.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids such as lupinine, anagyrine, sparteine, and hydroxylupanine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds