Wild Lupine
Welcome!
Horticultural Name
Lupinus perennis
Where these plants are found
Wild Lupine is found in sand hills, clearings and open woods. It is native to the northern and eastern parts of the country. Due to habitat loss, Wild Lupine is becoming increasingly rare.
How it propagates
Wild Lupine produces seeds to propagate. When ripe, the seedpod explodes aiding in distribution.
How are they important to pollinators and other animals
It is a host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly, Eastern Tailed Blue, Queen Alexandra's Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, Wild Indigo Duskywing and the Persius DuskyWing butterflies. Which eventually collect nectar from this plant. It's a good source of nectar for pollinators.
Which pollinators are they good for
They help a variety of pollinators including native butterflies and hummingbirds.
Notable identifying features
It's easy to identify from its hundreds of colorful bulbs and pod like patterns all up its stem.
Fun Facts
Leaves that have been eaten by Karner Blue caterpillars have transparent areas where they have selectively eaten the green fleshy parts.
Its actually part of the pea family -- the seedpods look like peapods.
Seedling
Flower
Seed Head
Here the pod has popped, releasing the seeds.
Sources
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=lupe3,
https://www.prairienursery.com/lupine-lupinus-perennis.html
https://www.prairiemoon.com/lupinus-perennis-wild-lupine-prairie-moon-nursery.html
Photo Credits
Header https://www.flickr.com/photos/wackybadger/4276085834
Flower https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/wild-lupine
Seed Head https://farmhouseandblooms.com/how-to-collect-lupine-seeds-harvest-and-storage/
Seedling http://www.restoringthelandscape.com/2010/05/lupine-seedlings.html