Lupine Lupinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- loo-PINE-us
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Over 300 species of Lupines exist; most are native to the Western USA, and require a cool climate. Native lupines such as L. perennis and L. diffusus grow in the coastal plain but may be difficult to find horticulturally. Hybrid Lupines such as the Russell Hybrids are best for cool mountain gardens; treat as annuals in zones 7-8. Plant seeds in the fall.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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L. diffusus
- Russell Hybrids
Cool-weather hybrids
L. villosus
- Russell Hybrids
- L. diffusus, L. villosus, Russell Hybrids
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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L. diffusus
- Russell Hybrids
Cool-weather hybrids
L. villosus
- Russell Hybrids
- L. diffusus, L. villosus, Russell Hybrids
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- America, Mediterranean to Tanzania
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated, flattened pod
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Terminal, elongated clusters, pea-like, blue to purple, pinkish, or white. Blooms in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple or palmately divided
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. 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