FNPS Plant Database

Lupinus perrenis

sundial lupine
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sundial lupine

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Lupinus perrenis

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

Flower

Size:

2.5 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

purple, lavender

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Winter dormant, blooms in spring

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden, formal garden.

Considerations:

Foliage and seeds have toxic properties, primarily due to the lupine alkaloids.

Availability:

Propagation:

Seed, they may need to be stratified. Division of rhizomes.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars

Larval host for several butterflies. Attracts bees including bumblebees.

Native Habitats:

Open, sandy woods. Adapted to fire

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

It can be difficult to maintain habitat for this plant. Keeping the competition down seems to be critical (mow, burn, etc.). We know of no Florida nursery carrying this.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Plant Delights Nursery. (Undated). Learn about Lupinus perennis , Sundial Lupine. ( https://www.plantdelights.com/products/lupinus-perennis ). Accessed 2026.


Wikipedia. (2015-2025). Lupinus perennis. (a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus_perennis" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus_perennis). Accessed 2026.


Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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