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.
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