Wild-Lupine Information
The wild lupine is a perennial plant with unusually shaped flowers ranging in color from pink to purple to blue. The flower is endangered, threatened or rare in many states. Does this Spark an idea?
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Classification
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The wild lupine's name is Lupinus perennis L--sundial lupine. It is a vascular, flowering seed plant of the class Dicotyledon, order Fabales. The wild lupine is in the pea family.
Habitat
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Lupines are found in dry, sandy soil. They grow best in partially shaded habitats, like oak savanna and pine barrens plant communities. However, if these habitats grow too shady, the lupine will not thrive; it typically continues to grow, but doesn't flower. It is primarily found in the eastern United States.
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Endangerment
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The wild lupine is becoming rare in the United States. It has been classified as threatened in Iowa, Maryland, New Hampshire and Vermont; rare in Pennsylvania; of special concern in the state of Rhode Island; and possibly extirpated in Maine.
Karner Blue Butterflies
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The wild lupine is inextricably tied to the Karner blue butterfly; its flowers are the Karner's caterpillars' only food. Due to the lupine's endangered status, Karner numbers are also dwindling across the United States.
Description
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The wild lupine's stems are erect, with palmately (hand-shaped) compound leaves. Its flowers rise vertically above the leaves. Its fruits are oblong, flattened pods with seeds.
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References
- Photo Credit summer lupine field 4 image by Stanislovas Kairys from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Definately not extirpated in Maine. I work in Ellsworth, Maine and there's a hill here that is completely covered with lupines. I once saw a light blue one here, and I've never seen one since.
