Luscious lupines 2009
description
Transcript of Luscious lupines 2009
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Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with Native Plants of Western L.A. County Project SOUND - 2009
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Luscious Lupines
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
February 7 & 10, 2009
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Lupines have long been garden favorites
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The lupines - the genus Lupinus)
Also known as Lupins (Europe) bluebonnets, old maid’s bonnets or wolfbean
Two groups: Old World lupines, (Mediterranean
regions & E. Africa; 12-13 species New World lupines (N. & S. America);
90% of the genus
Place of original origin???
~ 165 species (or possibly more) worldwide
82 species in CA; 14 in western L.A. Co. An additional 6-10 species in nearby
Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mountains
In short, we have a wealth of
native lupines from our area
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Lupines: an interesting genus in the Pea Family
Bloom time: February to July, but usually in spring – often depends on timing of rains
Larger-flowered species usually pollinated by large bees; small flowers may be self-fertilizing (Cleistogamy).
Flower color: white to various shades of blue and reddish-purple, and even a few yellow species
Leaves: palmately compound, with 5 to 9+ leaflets. The number of leaflets on an individual plant can vary.
Pea-like pods with hard seeds
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Flowers are typical of the Pea family (Fabaceae)
Five petals are highly modified: Large banner petal (often with a white or yellow spot) – attract
pollinators Two small wing petals Two (fused) keel petals – cover the male & female organs
Silver Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis http://montana.plant-life.org/families/Fabaceae.htm
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Lupines & pollinators
Plant sex typically must be consummated by a third party (the wind, a hummingbird, or a bumblebee) that transfers pollen from one blossom to another.
To lure pollinators, plants clad themselves in colorful (to the pollinator – UV-colored flowers may appear white to us) flowers with seductive scents.
While the bee is fertilizing the flower, the plant is returning the favor, offering nectar, the insect equivalent of soda pop, and/or life-giving protein in the form of pollen.
Most lupine flowers offer just a bit of nectar, and just for a short time…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/22/20290/0906
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Lupines & pollinators
Lupine flowers have characteristics to specifically attract large bees: Purple/blue color ‘guiding signs’ Heavy-duty landing pad
Bumblebee blossoms often have some form of physical barrier that only the bulky insect can surmount.
In Lupines (and other Peas), the nectaries, along with the sexual organs, are enclosed in the fused keel petals.
When a bumblebee lands on the keel, its weight forces the keel petals to pop open, exposing the flower's private parts (and the nectar).
Bumblebees ‘pump out’ the pollen
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Lupine flowers are ‘color-coded for
freshness’ The ‘banner spot’ on lupine flowers helps to guide the bumblebee to the proper landing spot; bees can see the contrasting colors
Lupines only make a small amount of nectar for the pollinator. To advertise that the flower is un-pollinated and has nectar, the banner petal or banner spot is bright white or yellow.
After the flower is pollinated, the banner petal turns reddish-purple - a cue to pollinators that no more nectar is being produced by that flower
Bees (and even we) cannot discriminate well between blue-violet and magenta (bees can’t see red)
.
https://www.hometownstation.com/local-news/scv-outdoor-report-2008-
04-17-13-01-2.html
Grape-soda Lupine
This color change all involves a single pigment type – the anthocyanins
http://www.spenceville.org/plant/Wildflowers.htm
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Other bumblebee plants Trees/shrubs
California lilac (Ceanothus spp) Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) Dogwood (Cornus glabrata) Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos
species) Willows (Salix species) Elderberry (Sambucus)
Wildflowers (perennials & Annuals) Columbines (Aquilegia species) Lupines (Lupinus species) Milkweeds (Asclepias species) Penstemons (Penstemon species) Phacelias (Phacelia species) Buckwheats (Eriogonum species) Sages (Salvia species) Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus &
Encelia) Goldenrods (Solidago & Euthamia
species)
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But bumblebees aren’t the only pollinators
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Yellow Tree Lupine - Lupinus arboreus
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
CA coast from Ventura north;
Aggressive re-seeder – don’t plant near any native species
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‘Lupinus propinquus’ – Local form of Lupinus arboreus
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences
Local endemic in Marin Co, right near shore;
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If you really want a tree lupine, perhaps your should wait….for ‘L. payneii’ Shrub 4-8 ft. high from a trunk-
like base, to 8 inches in diameter
Flowers very fragrant, varying from white through lilac, lavender, purple
Canyons of the Tapo Ranch, Santa Susana, May, 1918, Theodore Payne
‘This plant has been under observation by Mr. Payne for some years. It grows on hillsides of a reddish clay with occasional outcroppings of gravel. Those with long lavender blooms are quite like a Wisteria in appearance and are altogether the most showy of all our southern lupines.’
This plant has been grouped with L. longifolius – but Theodore Payne (and others) suggested this was a separate species
The Theodore Payne Foundation
recently discovered some old seeds
of ‘L. payneii’
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Our local perennial lupines are sub-shrubs
Moderate sized : 2-4 ft tall & wide
Have a woody root/base
Branches are succulent, at least at their outer ends
Local species: L. longifolius L. chamissonis L. albifrons L. excubitus var. halii L. formosus
Silver Bush Lupine – Lupinus albifrons
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Our local shrub lupines are very water-wise
Most are adapted for – and do best in – well-drained soils; some even thrive in sand
Most do best – and live longer – if given only modest amounts of summer water (Zone 1-2 or 2)
A very wet winter (or over-watering) can lead to the demise of shrub lupines – in all but the best-drained soils
Most will be somewhat summer dormant
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Longleaf Bush Lupine - Lupinus longifolius
© 2005 Michael W. Tuma
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Longleaf Bush Lupine - Lupinus longifolius
Formerly Lupinus chamissonis var. longifolius
Southwestern CA from Santa Barbara to Baja
Coastal sage scrub, chaparral and oak woodland
Formerly frequent in the foothills and on bluffs along the seashore in Los Angeles, Orange & San Diego counties
Longifolius = long-leaved
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4099
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Garden conditions
Soils: Texture: well-drained is a must (as for
most local bush lupines) pH: any local is fine
Light: full sun (coastal) to part shade
Water: Young plants: weekly (as needed) until
established Winter: moist soils; monitor & supplement in
very dry years Summer:
Quite drought-tolerant; can get by with no water in part-shade
Will take infrequent (1-2 x per month) if soils are well-drained
Fertilizer: None needed & use will likely decrease
lifespan (true for all the bush lupines)
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/bushlupine.html
Lupines don’t like to be moved –
protect their roots
Protect young plants from predation
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Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis
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Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4053
http://wiki.zum.de/Adelbert_von_Chamisso
Immediate CA coast from L.A. Co. to Marin Co.
chamissonis: after Adelbert von Chamisso (1781-1838)
Born Louis Charles Adélaïde de Chamissot at the château of Boncourt in Champagne, France
Became a German botanist who botanized with J.F. Eschscholtz in the San Francisco Bay region in 1816 – he named the CA Poppy after Eschscholtz
During his time in California, Chamisso studied a number of native plant and animal species; his inventory is considered a valuable ecological record to this day.
Was also a poet & writer
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Dune Lupine
Always found quite near the coast; on dunes, bluffs, ocean strand
Pretty much always on
rather sandy soils Gets some water from
ocean fog Subjected to maritime
conditions: wind, salt-spray
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/2407184634/in/set-72157604496267203/
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Lupine leaves –
unusual & attractive
Why palmate shape?
?? to funnel water to base of plant?
Why often silvery/velvety?
?? Protection from insects
?? Protection from sunlight
?? To collect moisture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93523004@N00/2472655139/
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Dune Lupine – flowers
that seem to glow
Blooms: Early spring; usually Feb-Apr
in S. Bay
Depends on winter rains
Flowers: Silvery violet, with a hint of
pink; white/yellow spot
Relatively large for local lupines
Arranged along flowering branches somewhat above foliage – not very long
Vegetative reproduction: ??
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Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: very well-drained; sandy
is best
pH: any local
Light: full sun; true of most of the local lupines except those from mountain forests
Water: Winter: needs adequate winter
rain, but will not tolerate flooding
Summer: best with very little summer along immediate coast (but will be drought deciduous); can give occasional water (Zone 1-2)
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: looks best if pruned back hard in winter
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
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Dune Lupine is perfect for
the coastal garden
As an attractive accent plant in coastal gardens
Nice addition to a dry silvery garden
In a garden featuring coast prairie or coastal strand palettes
Try with it’s natural coastal partners: Baccharis pilularis, Ericameria ericoides, Artemisia californica, Croton californicus, Camissonia cheiranthifolia, Agrostis pallens
http://anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=1985&account=none
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Silver Bush Lupine – Lupinus albifrons
http://www.goingnativegardentour.org/pressroom/LupinusAlbifrons.jpg
© Project SOUND http://norenes5percent.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2673277265_678df36ea6.jpg
Silvery Dune Lupine makes a
nice mid-size shrub
Nice as a smaller foundation plant
Floral fragrance – plant where you can enjoy
Looks great with either yellow or pink-flowering native plants
Quite hardy – fine for parking strips, roadways
Nice addition to rock garden
Wonderful for the ‘evening garden’ with its silvery foliage
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Grape Soda Lupine – Lupinus excubitus var. hallii
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus
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Grape Soda Lupine – Lupinus excubitus var. hallii
Fairly limited range: Catalina Island, Palos Verdes, Santa Monica Mtns, San Gabriels and into Baja
Harvey Monroe Hall (1874-1932) Author (1902) of A Botanical
Survey of San Jacinto Mountain
A collector of plants in the Mt. Pinos region in 1905 and on Santa Cruz Island in 1908.
Wrote a Flora of Yosemite (1912)
In charge of the University of California Herbarium at Berkeley (1902- ).
After a trip to Europe in 1929 to study natural reserves, he proposed the creation of "Natural Areas," and specifically the White Mountains and Harvey Monroe Hall research areas near Yosemite National Park
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4065,4068
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Grape Soda Lupine in local foothills
Gravelly and sandy places
Chaparral & Sagebrush scrub to 4500’
Often on banks & hillsides
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/socal/lupinex2.htm
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Grape Soda Lupine: sometimes silvery
Size: a bit smaller than other local bush lupines 2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Growth form: Typical sub-shrub local lupine
Mounded to slightly sprawling
Foliage: Mostly quite low/basal
Evergreen; silvery green, with velvety hairs
Quite attractive
Roots: like all lupines, has a taproot that resents disturbance
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus
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Local lupines – not always
so silvery
Silvery plants are often larger and greener with more water & shade
http://www.coestatepark.com/lupinus_albifrons_gp.htm http://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/Ecosystem/FloraFauna/pics/Flora/Lupinus_albifrons.JPG
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Grape Soda Lupine has lovely flowers
Blooms: Mid/late spring at higher
elevations
Probably Mar-May in western L.A. Co.
Flowers: Similar in color & size to
Dune Lupine
Range from silvery violet to light magenta-violet
Scented – reminiscent of grape soda
Attract bees, butterflies, even moths & humans!
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus
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Lupines are master catapultists
In general, Mother Nature likes to spread genes around – locate genetically similar offspring away from parent plant
This also keeps the new plants from competing for light, water & nutrients with the parent plant
Lupines literally ‘fling’ their dried seeds away from the parent plant: Drying pods under mechanical
stress When they reach a certain dryness
they fail - dramatically
The large seeds are then further carried by water or by small animals that may cache them
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Collecting lupine seeds – several approaches
The nylon stocking technique
The paper bag technique
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/lupine/lupine.htm
http://www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/PROJECTS/aug04/pg1.html
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Use Grape Soda Lupine in the scented garden
Great as an accent plant; foliage, flower & scented accent
Does well on hills, slopes, other ‘difficult’ areas
Great habitat plant; bees, blue butterflies, seed-eating ground birds like doves
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/hallsbushlupine.html
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What if I have a shady yard?
http://www.downeasthost.com/vacationrental/lupine.jpg
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Lupines from the local mountains and
from the North can take more water
Native habitat: often more shady
Annual precipitation: for some, more like garden conditions
Examples (from local mountains):
Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius
Burke’s (Meadow/ Big-leaf) Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei
Sickle-keeled Lupine - Lupinus albicaulis
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* Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius
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* Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius
Foothills of the Sierras, Coastal and Transverse Ranges
Locally: Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Santa Monica Mtns, San Gabriels
Moist places in woods, shady to open areas, many plant communities below 7500'
ssp. latifolius
ssp. parishii
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4083,4088
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ssp. parishii
© 2004 Charles E. Jones
In Santa Monica
Mtns
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/lupinel.htm
parishii: after brothers Samuel Bonsall Parish (1838-1928) and William Fletcher Parish (1840-1918), both botanical collectors who lived on a ranch in San Bernardino, California
Made extensive exploring trips through the mountains and deserts.
Samuel was the more devoted of the two and corresponded with and was on very familiar terms with many of the leading botanists of his day.
William served in the Civil War as a sergeant and later sergeant-major. He is registered at San Bernardino up to 1890, and at Long Beach in 1892. By 1906 he was living at Redondo, and later in Hermosa Beach."
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Flowers are quite showy
Blooms: Apr-July in local foothills
Probably Mar-May at lower elevations
Flowers:
fragrant pinkish blue flowers
2-3 foot long spikes
Ssp. parishii particularly showy!
Vegetative reproduction:
deep, lateral root system
can spread vegetatively from root sprouts, even from
pieces of root
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Broadleaf Lupine may fill your garden needs
Soils: Texture: well-drained, though
less picky than local natives
pH: any local
Light: full sun to light shade – light shade preferable in hot gardens
Water: Winter: good winter water
Summer: can take regular water (Zone 2 or 2-3); ssp. parishii can take drier conditions
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
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Burke’s (Meadow/ Big-leaf) Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei
Wet places in the mountains from San Gabriels, Sierras north
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Sickle-keeled Lupine - Lupinus albicaulis
From N. CA Coast Range and Sierra foothills
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Managing our local shrubby lupines
Protect young plants from snails & slugs
Keep area around the plants weed-free
Don’t mulch right up to the woody base – prevent root fungal disease
Be very vigilant in removing these caterpillars
Remove old flower heads and woody foliage for neatness & to renew
Cut back to the base in late fall to winter.
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Annual lupines add some magic to the garden
http://gardendjinn.typepad.com/garden/2008/03/index.html
http://www.wallno1.com/r-flowers-14-lupine-and-poppies-tehachapi-mountains-california-29867.htm
Coastal Palette combination
Interior Palette combination
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Soils: Texture: usually any; often do best in well-
drained soils
Usually any local pH
Light: full sun (best) to bright shade
Need bare soil (light) to germinate and grow
Often fire-followers; or managed by Native Californians
Water: Adequate winter/spring water
Best with no water after flowering
Fertilizer: none needed; a little probably won’t hurt
© 2001 Steven Thorsted
Growing native annual lupines
is quite easy
http://www.gardengates.info/The%20Local%20Wildflower%20
Page.htm
© Project SOUND © Lee Dittmann
Some of the best small lupines are native to S. CA
http://flickr.com/photos/repetti/59953037/in/set-1295791/
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Miniature Lupine – Lupinus bicolor
http://picasaweb.google.com/greenonfire/SWOregonFlora#5189166267831777570
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Bajada Lupine – Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
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Bajada Lupine – Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus
A lupine of SW U.S. and adjoining regions of Mexico
At least two sub-populations - one desert; ?? Are they really subspecies
Open sandy areas to 5000‘ Grasslands/prairie Both CA deserts
Common in disturbed areas, burns
concinnus: neat, well-made, elegant
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4057
http://seinet.asu.edu/images/maps/seinet/swdots/Lupinus_concinnus.jpg
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Bajada Lupine – a petite charmer
Size: < 1 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous annual
Upright or sprawling
Foliage: Very hairy; velvety texture –
appears silvery
Typical palmate leaves; quite basal, often low to ground
Looks like a desert plant
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
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Flowers are also petite
Blooms: Early spring; usually Mar.-
Apr. in western L.A. Co.
Flowers: Color: red-purple to light
pink
Small - ~ ¼ inch
Spread on low flowering stalks – may be only as tall as the leaves.
Don’t water after flowering ceases – important for proper seed development
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © 2003 Christopher L. Christie
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* Valley Lupine - Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
(Lupinus subvexus var. subvexus)
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Antelope Valley; W. San Gabriels
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The colors of lupine Lupines come in a select
palette: white, pink, red, blues of many hues, yellow, apricot.
Many have bicolored flowers, usually including white or yellow contrasting with another color.
Why/how these colors?
The pigments: Anthocyanins : appear blue/pink;
change from blue to pink w/ increasing pH (alkalinity)
Carotenoids: Appear yellow/orange In Lupines, only seen if
anthocyanins are lacking
How coloration evolved: co-evolution with pollinators Large bees attracted by blue-
purple flowers Hummingbirds attracted by
red/red-violet/ orange
http://www.visionsofheaven.com/AAngels/newsletter_art/lupine.jpg
http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/ezidweb/shoreplants/Lupinusarboreus.htm
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* Yellow Chick Lupine - Lupinus densiflorus var. aureus
(Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus)
http://www.larnerseeds.com/_pages/wildflower_annual.html
Antelope Valley; San Gabriels; Liebre Mtns
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Mid-size annual lupines look great massed
http://www.resimsite.com/img155.htm http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11104501
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Why include annual Lupines
in your garden?
Attractive & unique foliage
Showy, decorative flowers; many shades of white, blue, lavender, magenta
Great habitat plants: Nectar: butterflies, native bees &
even hummingbirds
Foliage: Blue Butterfly larval food
Seeds: ground-eaters like doves, quail
Improve soil nutrients (N)
Many are quite easy to grow once you get the seeds to germinate
© 2006 Chris Wagner, SBNF
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LUHI3
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Lupines: important role in ecosystems
The name Lupinus means "wolf," referring to the untrue notion that this plant robs nutrients from the soil.
In fact, Lupine (along with other species in the Pea family) actually adds useable nitrogen to the soil Mutualistic relationship with
nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bacteria for nodules (‘nitrogen
fixing factories’) on roots Nitrogen is converted to a form
useable by plants – ‘nitrogen fixing’
Leave the roots in the soil after harvesting, to achieve full benefits
The down-side of increased soil N http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/12/07_mutualism.shtml
http://www.laspilitas.com/classes/pictures/lotus_nodules.jpg
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Truncated Lupine is a small/mid-size lupine
Size:
1-2 ft tall & wide (usually ~ 1 ft)
Growth form: Somewhat conical – kind of like a
pine tree
Foliage: Typical lupine gray-green
Typical lupine leaves – but with trucated leaflets (hence its common name)
Roots: Tap-root; best if seeded in ground
Like all lupines, have symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Lupinus_truncatus.htm
© 2003 Michael Charters
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Truncated Lupine –
lovely flowers
Blooms: usually March-April in S. Bay
Flowers: Sparsely distributed on spike
well-above foliage
Color: violet-purple to magenta; becomes darker after pollination
Fragrant
Pollinated usually by larger bees
Seeds: Relatively large; mottled brown
In hairy pods that break apart explosively, flinging the seeds
Eaten by doves, quail
© 2003 Michael Charters
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Lupinus_truncatus.htm
© Project SOUND
Tricks to propagating lupines from seed
Generally, fresh seeds need no pretreatment.
Stored seeds may benefit from scarification or hot water treatment but results vary by species and other conditions – if seeds germinate poorly, try the treatments
Scarify using sandpaper for 5 minutes. Heat water (hot tap water) and soak seeds overnight. Seeds that do not imbibe need to be re-scarified and soaked
As a rule, lupines resent handling, but may be started in flats if shifted while still small and transplanted with no delay. Seeds may also be planted in fiber pots and the plants can be set intact into the beds, after first removing the bottom section of the pot
http://www.hazmac.biz/060828/060828LupinusExcubitusHallii2.html
© Project SOUND
Consider direct seeding – even for local
shrub lupines
In San Francisco, the National Park Service has found that hand broadcasting and raking in Lupinus spp. seeds worked better than planting nursery propagated seedlings—in fact, their transplants had only 10% survival.
To plant in situ, seeds should be broadcast where wanted (bare ground), raked in, and covered lightly with twiggy branches
http://www.sciencebuff.org/newsletter_1_october_2008.php
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Stinging Lupine is another moderate-size local lupine
Size:
1-4 ft tall (including flowering stalk)
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: basal rosette of foliage (mounded).
Foliage:
Typical blue-green lupine color
Leaves are typical for Lupine, but slightly larger, more rounded & showy
© 2005 Michelle Cloud-Hughes
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Because they are vulnerable on bare slopes,
Stinging Lupines need protection from predation
© 2002 Hartmut Wisch
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Warfare in the garden: Lupine defenses
Lupines have succulent young leaves. They protect themselves with:
Physical barriers: hairs
Chemical warfare:
‘stinging’ hairs; release chemicals that induce allergic skin rash
Toxic substances in their foliage
Toxic seeds (at least to mammals)
http://www.smmtc.org/plant_of_the_month_200604_Lupine.htm
© Project SOUND
What is lupine
toxicity?
Many lupines (and others in the pea family) produce levels of alkaloids (bitter tasting compounds) that make the seed unpalatable and sometimes toxic.
Eating mature/dried plants & pods can cause several syndromes (the green plants are usually safe): (1) convulsions after exercise due to
alkaloids in the seeds; (2) liver damage caused by fungal toxins
(phomopsins) produced by Phomopsis spp. growing in the seeds, which also causes intermittent photosensitization (called also lupinosis);
(3) possibly precipitation of acute attacks of copper poisoning;
(4) skeletal myopathy; and (5) pregnancy toxemia and acetonemia in
cows.
In animals, toxicity occurs when animals consume large amounts of pods in a brief period
http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.ht
m?personid=4284
So, never eat lupine seeds;
if kids/animals may be
tempted to eat pods/seeds,
then remove mature pods
© Project SOUND
Coulter’s Lupine – Lupinus sparsiflorus
http://www.delange.org/LupineCoulters/LupineCoulters.htm
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Coulter’s Lupine – Lupinus sparsiflorus ssp. sparsiflorus
The species: southwestern U.S. & bordering regions of Mexico, Baja
ssp. sparsiflorus: Western CA & Baja
Locally: Gardena Plain (Hawthorne), PV, Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mtns, San Clemente Island
ssp. sparsiflorus
http://seinet.asu.edu/seinet/symbiota/taxa/taxaprofile.php?taxon=Lupinus%20sparsiflorus
© Project SOUND
You’ve probably seen this lupine in the
desert or on burn areas
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/sagefls2.htm
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Coulter’s Lupine: upright form gives a competitive advantage?
Size: 2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous annual wildflower
Upright growth
Foliage: Leaves often blue-green
Leaflets often folded (like a taco shell)
Flowers: held rather high above foliage - and above other annuals
Note: foliage, seeds and pods are particularly toxic
http://www.delange.org/LupineCoulters/LupineCoulters.htm
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Annual lupines: sun & winter water is the trick
Soils: Texture: most, but do best in well-
drained sandy or rocky soils
pH: any local
Light: full sun
Water: Winter: needs adequate water for
good growth; supplement if needed
Summer: none after pods develop
Fertilizer: none; like poor soils
http://www.researchlearningcenter.org/bloom/species/Lupinus_sparsiflorus.htm
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Arroyo (Succulent) Lupine – Lupinus succulentis
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Succulent Lupine – Lupinus succulentis
Other names: Arroyo Lupine; Hollow-leaf Lupine
Grows in open and disturbed areas, grassy slopes < 2500 ft
Roots: 3 ft; nitrogen-fixing
Flowers: mostly blue, but may be pinkish or white
Pollinators: bees
Food source for: hummingbirds, larva of various butterflies, bees
Self-sows easily if seed falls on bare ground; can remain in ground for years waiting for good winter rains
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Fabaceae/Lupinus_succulentus
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Garden uses for mid-
size annual lupines
For their wonderful blue-violet color Unusual color for sun-lovers; most good
blues are in shade-loving native annuals Combine with yellow-flowered annuals
for an eye-popping show
In gardens featuring Coastal Prairie, Coastal Shrubland, CSS and desert plant palettes
For dune/slope stabilization
Combine with their usual partners: annual wildflowers (CA poppy; Owls Clover), bulb/corms and native grasses
Look absolutely fabulous massed
And great candidates for pots
http://gardendjinn.typepad.com/garden/page/2/
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/lupines2.htm
Massing plants increases habitat value
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Summer Lupine – Lupinus formosus
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-formosus
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Summer Lupine – Lupinus formosus
Western U.S. from OR to Baja
Most of CA west of Sierras
Locally: Griffith Park, ?Palos Verdes, San Clemente Isl, foothills of Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mtns
Usually in dry clay soils, grasslands, open areas under pines, oaks & chaparral shrubs, generally in valleys
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4072,4073
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In wild – summer bloomer
© 2008 Toni Corelli
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Summer Lupine: a rare summer-blooming
perennial lupine Size:
2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous perennial
Usually upright growth; most foliage quite low (< 1 ft.)
Foliage: Leaves relatively large for
lupine; leaflets broad
Densely hairy; silvery or gray-green
Roots: spreads via underground rhizomes
http://www.coestatepark.com/lupinus_formosus_gp.htm
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Welcome blooms in
late spring/summer
Blooms: Mid/late spring or later
Usually May-July in S. CA
Flowers: Medium size: ~ ½ inch
Often pale lavender or pink-lavender
Very fragrant; nice addition to summer garden
Vegetative reproduction: yes
© 2008 Toni Corelli
© Project SOUND
Summer Lupine is well suited to water-
wise summer gardens…
Soils: Texture:
Just about any;
Well-drained is best, but takes anything from sandy to clay
pH: any local
Light: full sun
Water: Young plants: good water first year
Winter: needs adequate; supplement if needed – take care not to over water in clay soils
Summer: best with none/little (Zone 1 or 1-2 best; 2 in sandy soils); withhold after flowering
http://www.coestatepark.com/lupinus_formosus_gp.htm
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So, take a tip from the ultimate gardener (Mother Nature)
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Consider using some of our water-wise local natives
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http://www.southwestgardener.com/blogs/labels/desert.html
Add a little zip to your spring garden…
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And enjoy local lupines, even (especially?) on a rainy day!