Red Lupine
Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
- Native to:
- Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
- USDA Symbol:
- LURU3
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)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American wainscot (Hydraecia immanis), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; fire may enhance germination by scarifying seed coat.
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 improves germination. Soak seeds in warm water or nick seed coat before cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified in a rotating drum lined with sandpaper for 3 hours, then soaked in a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours, rinsed, and soaked in water for an additional 2 hours. Seeds are then refrigerated at 1 to 3 °C for 7 days.
Source: npn.rngr.net