San Mateo Tree Lupine

Lupinus arboreus

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Lupinus
Species:
Lupinus arboreus
USDA Symbol:
LUEX2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
yellow, blue, purple, white
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

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; also colonizes burned areas from soil seed bank.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat required; soak in hot water or nick seed coat. Cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI