Species: Big-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Information About

Big-leaved lupine

Quick Facts
Latin

Lupinus polyphyllus

Subspecies

Big-leaved lupine in Detail.
About

Big-leaved lupine (or garden lupine) is one of the most recognizable species of lupine. Due to its attractiveness to bumblebees and ability to improve soil quality, the big-leaved lupine is a popular garden plant. Although it is found throughout western North America (in southern Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, Utah, and California), some consider it to be an invasive species in Alaska’s interior. There are many varieties and hybrids of L. polyphyllus, causing its flower color to vary from blue, pink, yellow, white, red, or mixed. For help in identification, count its leaflets. Big-leaved lupine should have 9-17 leaflets, as opposed to Arctic lupine (L. arcticus), which has 3-9 leaflets.