Silver Lupine
Lupinus albifrons
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Eric in SF
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus albifrons
- USDA Symbol:
- LUAL4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue, lavender, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from woody base after fire. Common in post-fire chaparral and coastal scrub communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny habitats with poor soil fertility.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat before cold stratification. Germination can be erratic; inoculation with Rhizobium may improve establishment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Wash seeds in a 5% bleach solution for 1 minute. Dry seeds completely. Place seeds in a sterile rock tumbler with sterile, sharp edged rocks. Tumble for 72 hours. Inspect with hand lens; if seeds are not scratched, tumble for another 36 hours. Remove seeds and soak in fresh water overnight. Seeds which have imbibed are ready to sow. Seeds which remain hard should be tumbled for another 36 hours.
Establishment: Seeds are collected on June 8th. Mature pods are brown. Collect pods when they are firm and full when they turn yellow or brown. Pods can be collected a little early if entire stalk is cut. L. albifrons var. collinus is found in rocky and sandy places below 4,500 feet elevation; from Lake County to San Luis Obispo County, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net