A pea-family wildflower with elegant blue-purple spires that's the SOLE host plant for the federally Endangered Karner blue butterfly. Loss of fire-managed savanna has put both species in trouble.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centres of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centres occur in North Africa and the Mediterranean. They are widely cultivated both as a food source and as ornamental plants, but are invasive to some areas. For instance, lupine has become an ecological problem in Iceland since the beginning of the 21st century.
Source: Wikipedia — Lupinus Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Plant with palmate compound leaves; tall blue spike of pea-shaped flowers.
Similar species. Other Lupinus species (multiple US species).
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native lupine. Only host plant for endangered Karner Blue butterfly.
§ Range
Eastern North America from Maine to Florida and west to the Plains
§ Habitat
Sandy soils in oak savannas, pine barrens, fire-maintained openings
§ Threats
Fire suppression letting forests close in, herbicide use, conversion of barrens to development.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the wild lupine is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native wild lupine (NOT garden bigleaf lupine). Support prescribed fire on conservation lands. Donate to Karner blue recovery efforts.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Lupinus
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Lupinus perennis
- iNaturalist · taxon 50901
- IUCN Red List — search for Lupinus perennis
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Lupinus perennis
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Karner Blue Recovery
- The Wild Center
- USDA Plants Database
