# Arctic Lupine (*Lupinus arcticus*) The Arctic Lupine is a beautiful flower that grows in cold places. It has bright purple petals and can be found in the tundra, bringing color to the snowy landscape. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Tundra ![Arctic Lupine](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lupinus_arcticus.jpg&width=800) Photo: shesnuckinfuts, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lupinus_arcticus.jpg) ## Appearance The Arctic Lupine has distinctive palmate leaves and tall, dense spikes of pea-like flowers, typically in vibrant blue or purple hues. Its compact form and sturdy stems help it stand out against the sparse Arctic landscape. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fabales - **Family:** Fabaceae - **Genus:** Lupinus ## Interesting facts - Arctic bumblebees 'buzz' to shake pollen from its flowers, like a tiny earthquake! - Its flowers can change color after pollination, signaling bees to visit other fresh blooms! - Its seeds are famous for sprouting after being frozen for over 10,000 years in permafrost! - The unique shape of its leaves helps collect precious water droplets from the Arctic air. ## Special abilities - **Ice Age Survivor:** Arctic Lupine can germinate after thousands of years of dormancy, allowing it to re-establish in changing environments. - **Nitrogen Powerhouse:** Arctic Lupine has special root nodules that fix nitrogen from the air, enriching poor Arctic soils for itself and other plants. - **Deep Root Anchor:** Arctic Lupine can grow a long taproot, helping it find water and nutrients in shallow, often frozen, Arctic ground. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-50 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Arctic Bumblebee (*Bombus polaris*) — Vital pollinator in the harsh Arctic environment - **Eaten by:** [Caribou](https://www.snappit.app/explore/caribou) (*Rangifer tarandus*) — Leaves and shoots are part of their diet - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-ground-squirrel) (*Urocitellus parryii*) — Eats seeds and young plant parts ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't pick the flowers; they are important for nature and help other plants grow. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Lupine? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Arctic Lupine? 10-50 cm ### How wide does Arctic Lupine spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Arctic Lupine? 1-2 cm ### When does Arctic Lupine bloom? Summer ### Is Arctic Lupine edible? No ### Is Arctic Lupine toxic? Moderate ### What is Arctic Lupine's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Chicken Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Garibaldi Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garibaldi-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Nickel Plate Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nickel-plate-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Arctic Lupine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/arctic-lupine) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Arctic Lupine: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-lupine)