Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Lupinus

Species:

Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis

USDA Symbol:

LUHO3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

yellow, white, pink, lavender

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)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts after fire and may show increased germination following fire disturbance. Typical of California grassland and chaparral edge species.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to open, sunny areas with poor soil fertility

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Soak in warm water or mechanically nick before cold stratification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI