Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Lupinus latifolius is a species of lupine known by the common name broadleaf lupine. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Baja California to New Mexico, where it is common and can be found in several types of habitat. There are several subtaxa, described as subspecies or varieties, some common and some rare. They vary in morphology. In general this plant is an erect perennial herb. It grows 30 centimeters to over two meters in height, in texture hairy to nearly hairless. Each palmate leaf is made up of several leaflets, those on larger plants up to 10 centimeters long. The flower cluster bears many flowers, sometimes in whorls. Each flower is one to two centimeters in length, purple to blue to white in color, the spot on its banner yellowish, pinkish, or white. One rare subtaxon, Lupinus latifolius var. barbatus, is endemic to the Modoc Plateau of northeastern California and adjacent territory in Oregon and Nevada. The subtaxon dudleyi is known only from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 7 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Blue, Purple

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade, Deep Shade

Water

Low

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Typically found on soils that are shallow, coarse-textured, rocky and fast draining.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need no treatment. Stored seeds scarification or hot water.  For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need no treatment. Stored seeds scarification or hot water.

Site type

Moist places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Douglas-Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 52 likely

Confirmed Likely

Dicymolomia metalliferalis

Anna's Blue

Plebejus anna

Lupine Dagger

Acronicta lupini

Agrochola purpurea