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Doran, Juanita

Lupinus nanus

Lupinus nanus Douglas ex Benth.

Ocean-blue Lupine, Sky Lupine

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: luna3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A petite, low-growing, annual lupine, 6-20 in. tall, with rich-blue flowers, each with a white or yellowish spot. The leaves are plamtely compound with 5-7 narrow, inch-long leaflets covered with long hairs.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA , NV
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Mendocino to Los Angeles Cos.; also Kern to Fresno Cos.
Native Habitat: Grassy hills, fields & brushy slopes below 3000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, dry soils.

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.

Propagation

Description: Plant seeds in late fall or winter in desired location.
Seed Collection: Gather the pods when they turn brown and place them in a paper bag. Seeds will be ejected when the fruits fully ripen.
Seed Treatment: Fresh seeds need no treatment. Store seeds may benefit from being rubbed between sheets of sandpaper then soaked in warm water, cooling in the water overnight.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Additional resources

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

Metadata

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

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