Longleaf Bush Lupine
Lupinus longifolius
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
The Marmot (www.flickr.com) from USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus longifolius
- USDA Symbol:
- LULO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, lavender
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
Areniscythris brachypteris, Chionodes braunella, cosmopolitan walshia moth (Walshia miscecolorella), Epinotia infuscana, Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Painted Tiger Moth (Arachnis picta), Rhamphura ochristriata, Sparganothis senecionana, Syncopacma metadesma, Syncopacma nigrella, toothed somberwing (Euclidia cuspidea), Arrowhead Blue (Glaucopsyche piasus), Western Blue (Plebejus icarioides)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Crotch bumble (Bombus crotchii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seedling recruitment may increase post-fire due to reduced competition.
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:
- Native to coastal areas, prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat before cold stratification. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium may improve establishment.
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.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI