Longspur Lupine
Lupinus arbustus
Sheri Hagwood
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus arbustus
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 2-3 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Pink, Yellow, Purple
Native Range
United States: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Canada: British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Shasta Blue (Plebejus shasta), sooty hairstreak (Satyrium fuliginosum), Western Blue (Plebejus icarioides)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open, rocky areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seed is moistened and inoculated with rhizobium and mycorrhizae. No scarification required.
Establishment: Lupine pods shatter when ripe, requiring collection while the seed is still green. As seed ripens pods become thin and change from green to yellow becoming somewhat transparent. Pods are ripe for harvest when individual seeds can be discerned when held against a light background. Harvested lupine seeds and pods have high moisture content and must be quickly spread out to dry.
Source: npn.rngr.net