Wild lupine is a native perennial in the bean (Fabaceae) family. Found in many eastern and central states including NC. It is a wildlife-friendly plant that produces showy blue flowers in spring and may die down in the heat of the summer. As with all plants in the bean family, it fixes nitrogen allowing it to tolerate poor-nutrient soil. Loss of habitat threats the wild lupine in some areas. Lupinus comes from the Latin word for wolf and derives from the mistaken belief that these plants "wolf" down nutrients from the soil. The species name perennis comes from the Latin word for perennial or lasting throughout the year. The common name sundial lupine comes from the habit of the flowers facing the sun. Multiple spikes of showy pea-shaped flowers appear in spring and early summer and are followed by 2-inch-long legumes. The compound leaves are attractive and appear on long stems. The plant prefers cool weather for growing and may be short-lived. They will spread by short rhizomes and seeds. Propagation is by root cuttings or seeds. Scarification of the seeds helps improve germination. This plant prefers moist to dry acidic sandy loams and full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to other soils but they must be well drained. Use this plant in the middle of the border, in naturalized areas, in native gardens and the edge of woods. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problem free but can experience aphids, brown-spot fungus and powdery mildew. Can be short-lived. Poisonous to humans and pets.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The green palmate compound leaves grow on a long stalk and have 7-11 leaflets that radiate from a central point. Leaflets are oblanceolate, with hairy undersides and are up to 2.5 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. The base is tapered, the tip is rounded and may have a sharp point at the apex.
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Irregular; Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blue flowers appear on multiple spikes up to 8 inches long. They are typical pea-shaped flowers with 5 petals that may be two-toned in blue and purple or blue and white. They can also rarely appear as pink or white flowers. Each individual flower is 3/4 to 1 inch long. The lower petals are forced open by bees to reveal a horn-shaped stamen. Blooms in late spring to early summer and last about 1 month.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Green
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The pea pods are hairy and about 2 inches long. They turn black at maturity and have 2-7 seeds that can be expelled several feet when the pod splits.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The green to reddish-green stems can be angular or round with hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and Central USA
Distribution
AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: NB, ON
Wildlife value
Attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Host plant for Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa sub. samuelis) and Frosted Elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus). Small mammals and birds will eat the seeds.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds