Hollowleaf Annual Lupine
Lupinus succulentus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Sgerbic
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus succulentus
- USDA Symbol:
- LUSU3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, violet, white
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
Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella), Western Blue (Plebejus icarioides)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus)
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 and seedbank is stimulated by fire disturbance. Common in post-fire chaparral and grassland recovery.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in coastal and riparian areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of the hard seed coat significantly improves germination. Seeds can be nicked or soaked in warm water overnight.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Surface sterilize seed coats with a 5 minute 5% bleach solution soak. Follow this with a 2 hour hot water scarification treatment to maximize germination rates.
Establishment: Arroyo lupine is an annual species found throughout southern California and the Channel islands. It inhabits open grassy slopes and rocky ridges. Pods are hand collected when fully matured, typically from late May to June.
Source: npn.rngr.net