Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Genus Lupinus Higher classification Lupine | Order Fabales Subfamily Faboideae Scientific name Lupinus succulentus Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Lupine, Lupinus bicolor, Layia platyglossa, Lupinus microcarpus, Lupinus albifrons | ||
Lupinus succulentus is a species of lupine known by the common names hollowleaf annual lupine, arroyo lupine, and succulent lupine.
Contents
It is native to California, where it is common throughout much of the state, and adjacent sections of Arizona and Baja California. Lupinus succulentus is known from many types of habitat and it can colonize disturbed areas.
Description
Lupinus succulentus is a fleshy annual herb that grows up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height. The amount of fertility and moisture generally dictates the height of the plant. Prefers moist clay or heavy soils in full sun. Each palmate leaf is made up of 7 to 9 leaflets up to 6 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is a series of whorls of flowers each between 1 and 2 centimeters long. The flower is generally purple-blue with a white or pink patch on its banner, and there are sometimes flowers in shades of light purple, pink, and white.
The fruit is a roughly hairy legume pod up to 5 centimeters long and about 1 centimeter wide.
Cultivation
Being the most water tolerant of all Lupines, Lupinus succulentus is used cultivated as an ornamental plant, for flower borders, native plant and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping projects.
