Sundial 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
- var. perennis
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. perennis
Northern variety
- var. perennis
- var. perennis
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
