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 12 to 1 12 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

References

  1. "Lupinus pusillus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan, 2nd ed., 2012, Morris Bush Publishing, LLC. in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, ISBN 978-0-7627-7013-7
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