Tribe Genisteae Rank Species | Genus Lupinus Higher classification Lupine | |
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Similar Lupine, Lupinus bicolor, Legumes, Lupinus albifrons, Lupinus microcarpus | ||
Lupinus nanus ("sky lupine", "field lupine", "dwarf lupin", "ocean-blue lupine" or "Douglas' annual lupine"), is a species of lupine native to the western United States. It is found natively in California, Nevada, and on Steens Mountain in eastern Oregon. It tends to be found growing on slopes and in open or disturbed areas below 1300 meters. It grows 6 to 20 inches tall with blue flowers containing white or yellow spots. It is an annual plant that blooms in the months of March, April and May. It contains anagyrine and is considered toxic if directly ingested. Among the biologically active chemicals found in the pant are genistein, 2'-hydroxygenistein, luteone and wighteone.
Variation
Lupinus anaus has a large genetic variability. There are three accepted subspecies of Lupinus nanus:
Lupinus nanus is often found in mixed populations with Lupinus bicolor, Lupinus pachylobus, Lupinus micranthus, and Lupinus vallicola (some of these species are not currently recognized as distinct taxa in the Jepson Manual). In addition to the subspecies above, variations include
