Chamisso Bush Lupine
Lupinus chamissonis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus chamissonis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 6-8 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: California
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
Areniscythris brachypteris, Chionodes braunella, cosmopolitan walshia moth (Walshia miscecolorella), Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Painted Tiger Moth (Arachnis picta), Syncopacma metadesma, Syncopacma nigrella, toothed somberwing (Euclidia cuspidea), Western Blue (Plebejus icarioides)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal dunes and sandy areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Scarify using sandpaper for 5 minutes, then soak seeds in heated water overnight. Re-scarify and soak any seeds that do not imbibe.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between April 1st and June 30th. Mature pods are brown, and seeds are dark and speckled, 3 to 4 mm long at maturity. Found in sandy places and dunes from Marin County to Los Angeles County, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net