A close-up of Lupinus nanus
It is difficult not to fall in love with a species bearing the common name sky lupine! I have always been a lupine fan. I grew up picking my favourite, the silky lupine (Lupinus sericeus), for Mother’s day bouquets. Although too short to hold its own in a bouquet, the photos of Lupinus nanus growing in dense meadows are more beautiful than any picked flower arrangement. Such meadows are reportedly common in California’s sage scrub and coastal prairies–a springtime sight I would very much like to see.
One particularly good place to go to see sky lupine is North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve in Butte County, California. This mesa, created by ancient basalt flows, provides unique conditions for an assortment of prolific wildflowers. It is best visited between February and May.
Like many other members of the pea family, or Fabaceae, lupines have a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. This permits them to fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving the surrounding soil fertility. Ironically, the name Lupinus (meaning “wolf”) stems from an old belief that lupines “wolfed up” all of the nutrients in the soil because they were often seen growing in barren habitats. Due to its low habit, beauty, and ability to thrive in and improve poor soils, Lupins nanus is sometimes used to revegetate roadsides and forest fire sites.
I can’t look at a lupin without thinking about “Dennis Moore, Dennis Moore, stealing lupins from the rich to give to the poor”. Too much Monty Python I guess : )
Isn’t the bluebonnet in TX in the same family?
Bonnie, yes. Bluebonnets are lupines. In fact several different species qualify as bluebonnets. Look up bluebonnet in Wikipedia for more info.
Working in a herbarium, I love that the lupines often retain their color for over a hundred years.
THAT IS INCREDIBLY COOL!!!!!!! 😉
Soooooo beautiful. I love the idea of it being used to rejuvenate depleted soil. How gorgeous that must be!
Yes, Dennis Moore would appreciate that!
There’s NEVER too much Monty Python! LOL
Thanks for giving me a genuine smile, today.
Well done Mike Bush!
Magnificent closeup!
I live near the coastal sage scrub areas of California and where these lupines get a toe hold they really are an amazing sight. They can be dense enough to look like a pool of deep purple blue. Often, they intermix with California poppies so you get that classic contrasting color duo, yellow orange and indigo.
Fabulous photograph. And fascinating botany.
“Your lupines or your life” became a family catchphrase when we started visiting our daughter (and botanizing) when she moved to CA from NH. Fun to be reminded!