Broadleaf Lupine

Description:

Purple to blue flowers arranged somewhat alternately on a central stalk that is connected to the base plant which can have several stalks that can reach 1.5 mt tall when mature.

Habitat:

Spotted in a meadow at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Notes:

Pollinator habitat: Bigleaf lupine attracts native bees, bumble bees, and other beneficial insects with its nectar and pollen-rich flowers that bloom from mid-spring into mid-summer (Ley et al., 2007). It also attracts hummingbirds, contributing to the biodiversity of any site. Ornamental: Also commonly known as garden lupine, its pleasant fragrance and tall, showy flowers make the plant a favorite ornamental for gardeners across the country. Take care to manage the lupines properly as some ornamental hybrids can become weedy and problematic. Restoration: Plants may be used for prairie or wetland restoration as an important component of the native flora. They are deep rooted and suitable for erosion control and soil stabilization. Also, as a native legume, they can be used in revegetation of logging roads or clear cuts as nitrogen fixers (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).