Lupinus spp. (Lupine)

Photographs

My photos:

This lupine and its many siblings were blooming along De Luz Road in March. The blossoms are sparse, and the height of the flower stalk is about 10 inches. This might be L. excubitus.

The two photos below are of plants I found at Idyllwild in March. Most of the lupines I saw there were not even in bud, but there were a couple in protected locations that were just barely starting to open. The foliage is so attractive!

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Fabaceae

In the garden:

This plant is easily grown from seed in the garden. Hybrid varieties are available, although I prefer the open pollinated ones as a rule.

In the wild:

This plant can be seen in springtime everywhere you look. There are some beautiful ones growing along the 133 Toll Road (in February and March), which are quite different from the ones I photographed on De Luz Road. My favorite wildflower memory from my youth is a field of orange poppies with purple lupine spikes throughout.

Ethnobotany:

The leaves and stems of lupine were eaten for greens by native people. The plant was used medicinally for dermatology including blisters from poison oak, and an infusion of the plant (except the seeds, which are poison) was used for urinary ailments. Green dye can be made from the leaves, and blue dye from the flowers.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines
De Luz Road

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