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Native Plant Database

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Lupinus luteolus Kellogg

Butter Lupine, Pale yellow lupine

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: LULU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Crowded whorls of yellow pea flowers in long racemes on branched stems.

As a lupine pod matures and dries, its walls become elastic and finally burst open, instantly curling and throwing the seeds some distance. On warm afternoons these opening pods can be heard softly popping, and a person standing in a patch of mature lupines may be hit by flying seeds.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf: White-Gray
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Southern Oregon south to southern California.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes and flats in open forests and on grassy slopes.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Warning: Plants in the genus Lupinus, especially the seeds, can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lupinus luteolus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lupinus luteolus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lupinus luteolus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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