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:

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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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. 

Citations:

https://www.plantdelights.com/products/lupinus-perennis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus_perennis
https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/wildlupine.html#:~:text=Names: The genus name, Lupinus,which are annual or biennial.

Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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