Dwarf Lupine
ExplorePlants
Dwarf Lupine
lupinus lepidus
The Dwarf Lupine is a tiny, colorful flower that loves to bloom in sunny places! It's a great plant for butterflies and bees who come to visit it.
Habitat: It lives in rocky, sunny areas, often found in meadows and mountainous regions.
Appearance
The Dwarf Lupine has dense, silvery-green, palm-shaped leaves covered in fine hairs, forming a compact mound. It sports striking, upright spikes of small, pea-like flowers, typically in shades of vibrant purple to blue, making it stand out in meadows.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLupinus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bumblebees love Dwarf Lupine! They are important pollinators, often seen buzzing around its purple flower spikes.
Its name 'Lupinus' comes from 'lupus' (wolf), as people once thought it 'wolfed' nutrients from the soil!
Native Americans historically used parts of lupine plants for dyes, medicine, and sometimes even food after careful processing.
Wild Dwarf Lupine seeds can remain dormant for many years, waiting for just the right conditions to sprout!
Special abilities
Ability
Soil Power-Up
Dwarf Lupine can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer for other plants around it.
Ability
Fuzzy Shield
Dwarf Lupine has tiny hairs on its leaves and stems that help it conserve water and protect itself from harsh sunlight.
Ability
Seed Shooters
Dwarf Lupine seeds are held in pods that can burst open to fling seeds far away, helping new plants grow.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-40 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Bumblebee
Bombus appositus
Transfers pollen between flowers
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Helps fix nitrogen in soil
eats
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Browses on leaves and stems
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
LupinusMountain LupinePurple Lupine
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dwarf Lupine?
10-40 cm
How wide does Dwarf Lupine spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Dwarf Lupine?
1-2 cm
When does Dwarf Lupine bloom?
Late spring to summer
Is Dwarf Lupine edible?
No
Is Dwarf Lupine toxic?
Moderate
What is Dwarf Lupine's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Dwarf Lupine pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park14 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Lockhart Beach Provincial Park
You might spot Douglas Fir, Silverleaf Phacelia, and Rocky Mountain Maple.
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Park17 sightings2 species
British Columbia, CA
Cathedral Provincial Park
You might spot Subalpine Larch, Arrowleaf Senecio, and Moss Campion.
View guide →
Park1 sightings1 species
British Columbia, CA
Kootenay Lake Provincial Park - Midge Creek Site
You might spot Hornwort, Silverleaf Phacelia, and Big Rough Fescue.
View guide →
Park0 sightings0 species
British Columbia, CA
Tantalus Provincial Park
You might spot Giant Red Paintbrush, Lupines, and Broadleaf Arnica.
View guide →
