Lupinus pusillus
| Lupinus pusillus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Lupinus |
| Species: | L. pusillus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lupinus pusillus Pursh | |
Lupinus pusillus (rusty lupine[1] or dwarf lupine) is an annual plant in the legume family (fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States.[2]:159
Description
Growth pattern
It is an annual plant growing up to 9 inches (23 cm) tall. "Pusillus is for the small size of the plant.[2]:159
Leaves and stems
Leaves are compound palmate with 3-9 1⁄2 to 1 1⁄2 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm) long inversely lance- shaped leaflets.[2]:159
Plant stems and leaf stems (petioles) have long spreading hairs.[2]:159
Inflorescence and fruit
It blooms from April to June.[2]:159
Flowers are in stalks of 4-38 and bluish to purple or bicolored, with a yellow spot on the upper petal.[2]:159
Seedpods are nearly oval and have constrictions separating the seeds.[2]:159
Habitat and range
It can be found in desert shrubl and pinyon juniper woodland communities, from as far north as Washington, to California, and throughout the southwest.[2]:159
When growing in reddish sand, the blue flowers make a striking contrast with the sun at a low angle.[2]:159
Ecological and human interactions
It is pollinated by bees.[2]:159