Family: Fabaceae

The genus includes over 650 species, with centers of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centers occur in North Africa and the Mediterranean. They are widely cultivated, both as a food source and as ornamental plants.

The genus “Lupinus” (Lupi'nus:) is from the Latin words lupus or lupinus for "wolf," a reference to the earlier thoughts that the plants were robbing soil or nutrients; many Lupinus species actually replenishes the soil by working with mycorrhizal and other root endophytic fungi to extract nitrogen from the air and generally improve the biology of the soil.

In Arizona we have 26 species of Lupinus. Many are native at high elevations but several species are in the low desert too.

Lupine plants are important as seasonal nectar plants (as are all seasonal wildflowers) and as larval hosts for numerous butterfly and moth species.

Plant seed or plants as early as September or October, and continually throughout the cool season until as late as March. The later in spring you plant, the smaller the plants will be when they bloom. Full sun is best. These species should continue growing and flowering until it gets hot, or if the soil dries out. Plants reseed readily and may re-emerge in the fall in moist locations.

Photo by Lupinus succulentus by Max Licher, SEINET