Yellow Bush Lupine
Lupinus arboreus
Also known as: San Mateo Tree Lupine
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus arboreus
- USDA Symbol:
- LUAR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, blue, purple, white, lavender
- 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
Chionodes braunella, Chionodes sp. B, cosmopolitan walshia moth (Walshia miscecolorella), Epinotia infuscana, Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), Grapholita edwardsiana, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Platyprepia virginalis, Pulse pod borer (Etiella zinckenella), Wandering Tiger Moth (Spilosoma vagans), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta), Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), 🛑Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius) Moths:Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire. Nitrogen-fixing ability aids post-fire recovery of disturbed sites.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal dunes and sandy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Scarification by nicking or hot water treatment greatly improves germination. Seeds have hard coat requiring mechanical or chemical scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are gently rubbed with 320 grit sand paper until seed coat is visibly eroded and then soaked overnight before sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between June and September. Mature pods are brown and are manually collected before they split and release seeds. The plant is native from Sonoma to Ventura counties and has been naturalized as far north as British Columbia. It is found below 100m elevation.
Source: npn.rngr.net