Broadleaf Lupine

Broadleaf lupine is a large herbaceous perennial plant growing 30 centimeters to over two meters in height. The plant’s numerous smooth stalks sprout large, hairless palmate leaves. The flat, dark green leaves, composed of several leaflets, can grow up to 10 cm long. The long inflorescence is composed of loose, separated pea flowers. The pea flowers, one to two centimeters long, are pinkish-purple to blue to white in color with faint banners of yellowish, pinkish, or white.

Basic Information

• Member of the Fabaceae, or pea, family

• Perennial herb

• There are six recognized subspecies of this plant:

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. dudleyi — found only in the Bay Area

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. canadensis

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. latifolius

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. llucanthus

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. longipes

  • Lupinus latifolius ssp. parishii

• The variety lupinus latifolius var. barbatus is endemic only to the Modoc Plateau of northeastern California and adjacent territory in Oregon and Nevada

Habitat

• Native to western North America from British Columbia south to Baja California and east to New Mexico

• Found in moist habitats, such as chaparral, mixed woodlands, and riparian areas

Ecological Role

• Larval host to Boisduval's blue, clouded sulphur, orange sulphur, Persius duskywing, and silvery blue butterflies

• Good nectar source for native bees and bumblebees

Reproduction

• Blooms from March to July

Alternative Names

• Bigleaf Lupine, Broad-leaf Lupine, Broadleaf Lupine, riverbank lupine

Historical Uses

• The Miwok used the steamed, dried leaves and boiled flowers as a relish with manzanita cider

  • Also used the leaves to line acorn leaching baskets to prevent meal from leaking