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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Lupinus diffusus

Blue Sandhill Lupine, Oak Ridge Lupine, Spreading Lupine, Skyblue Lupine

Scientific Name:

Lupinus diffusus

Genus:

Lupinus

Species Epithet:

diffusus

Common Name:

Blue Sandhill Lupine, Oak Ridge Lupine, Spreading Lupine, Skyblue Lupine

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Biennial

Plant Family

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Blue

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

March, April, May

Growing Area:

Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Sandhills, sandy roadsides (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Coastal Plain. “Dry open woods, fields; Found in: Forest or natural areas in sandhills, clearings, open woods and fields.” NC State University: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/lupinus-diffusus/

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Biennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable, S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Seeds are poisonous - https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/lupinus-diffusus/

Patch in bud

image

Paynter, Halyburton Park, Wilmington, April 14, 2011

In flower

image

Halyburton Park, Wilmington, April 2011

Close view of flowers

Note the unifoliate, grey-green leaves. This distinguishes it from all other NC lupines except L. villosus which is pinkish to lavender.

image

In longleaf pine habitat

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Sometimes seen growing in beautiful patches on sandy roadsides

image

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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