Silvery lupine

What does Silvery lupine look like?

Silvery lupine is a perennial herb with upright stems that can reach from 15 cm to over a meter tall. The stems and leaves are often covered in fine hairs, giving them a silvery or ashy look. Its leaves are divided into six to nine narrow leaflets, spreading out from a single point. The plant produces long flower spikes, each holding many pea-like blossoms that are usually blue to purple, but can also be pink or white, with a yellow or white spot on the top petal. As the flowers age, the spot can shift to a reddish-purple shade. The fruit is a hairy pod containing several seeds.

Where does Silvery lupine come from?

This species is native to a broad stretch of western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, across the western United States, and into the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora. It was first described in 1813 by Frederick Traugott Pursh, using specimens collected by Meriwether Lewis along the Clearwater River, now on the border of Idaho and Montana. Silvery lupine thrives in a variety of habitats, from open grasslands and sagebrush to forests of pine, aspen, and spruce.

When and how Silvery lupine blooms

Silvery lupine grows from a root crown at or just below the soil surface, sending up one or more leafy stems each year. It can be found in many plant communities, including sagebrush, grasslands, and woodlands. The plant blooms on tall racemes, with flowers opening from the bottom upward. It is adapted to a range of soils and elevations, and is often found in areas with well-drained ground.

How Silvery lupine is used

While not widely used in gardens or for decoration, silvery lupine plays an important role in its native habitats. Its flowers attract butterflies, and several species of caterpillars feed on its leaves. The plant is not noted for traditional human uses or as a food source, but it supports local wildlife and adds color to wild landscapes.

Kinds of Silvery lupine

There are two recognized subspecies and seven botanical varieties of silvery lupine. These include forms such as var. fulvomaculatus, var. laxiflorus, var. moabensis, and others, each adapted to slightly different regions or habitats within the species’ broad range.

What Silvery lupine means

Silvery lupine is valued for its role in supporting butterflies and other insects, but it does not have a strong presence in folklore, symbolism, or religious practice. Its name refers to the silvery appearance of its leaves and stems. The plant is a familiar sight in many western North American landscapes.

Questions people ask about Silvery lupine

Good reading and sources

• USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
• IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
• Library of Congress CatalogLibrary of Congress, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Lupinus argenteus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data