Nootka lupine
Lupinus nootkatensis, family Fabaceae
A blue-purple lupine from North America, now widespread in Iceland
Nootka lupine is a perennial flower from the legume family, native to the west coast of North America. It grows up to 60 cm high with bright bluish-purple blooms, and is now common in Iceland, where it was introduced for land reclamation but has become invasive.
- Native to the west coast of North America
- Bright bluish-purple flowers in dense clusters
- Introduced to Iceland for land reclamation in 1945
- Now considered invasive in Iceland
- Seeds are toxic if eaten
What does Nootka lupine look like?
Nootka lupine is a perennial plant that reaches about 60 cm in height. Its flowers are bright bluish-purple and grow in clusters on upright stems. The plant has long taproots, which makes it hard to move once established. It forms fuzzy pods after flowering, which contain seeds. The foliage is typical of lupines, with divided leaves.
Where does Nootka lupine come from?
This lupine is native to the west coast of North America, from the Aleutian Islands and Alaska down to British Columbia. It was introduced to Europe in the late 1700s and brought to Iceland in 1945 to help with soil erosion and land reclamation. Its ability to fix nitrogen and thrive in poor soils made it valuable for these purposes, but it has since spread widely beyond its original planting sites.
When and how Nootka lupine blooms
Nootka lupine grows from seed, as its deep taproot makes transplanting difficult. It thrives in cool, wet summers and is often found along roadsides, gravel bars, and open meadows. The plant self-seeds readily, forming dense stands. Garden hybrids have been developed from this species due to its hardiness.
How Nootka lupine is used
In Iceland, Nootka lupine was planted to improve soil and reclaim barren land. Its rapid growth and soil enrichment are valued, but it has become invasive, spreading into natural areas and threatening native plants. In Britain and northern Europe, it is grown for its tolerance to cool climates and its colourful flowers.
Kinds of Nootka lupine
There are two recognized varieties: Lupinus nootkatensis var. fruticosus and Lupinus nootkatensis var. nootkatensis. The species is also one of the parents of many garden lupine hybrids, which are valued for their ornamental qualities.
What Nootka lupine means
The plant is at the centre of debate in Iceland. Some appreciate its role in land reclamation and the colour it adds to the landscape, while others are concerned about its impact on native flora. Its spread has led to discussions about biodiversity and the need for careful management.
Where to see Nootka lupine
Questions people ask about Nootka lupine
Where does Nootka lupine come from?
Nootka lupine is native to the west coast of North America, including the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and British Columbia. It has also been introduced to Europe and Iceland.
What does Nootka lupine look like?
It is a perennial plant up to 60 cm tall with bright bluish-purple flowers that grow in clusters. The plant also has divided leaves and produces fuzzy seed pods.
Why is Nootka lupine controversial in Iceland?
It was introduced to help with soil erosion and land reclamation, but it has spread widely and is now considered invasive, threatening native plants and biodiversity.
Is Nootka lupine toxic?
Yes, the seeds of Nootka lupine are toxic if eaten. The toxins are not cumulative but internal use is not advised.
What is Nootka lupine used for?
It is used for land reclamation, improving soil fertility, and as a garden plant in cool climates. In Iceland, it was planted to combat erosion but has become invasive.
Good reading and sources
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, 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 nootkatensis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lupinus nootkatensis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
Others in the family Fabaceae
The whole family
Acacia
Shrubs and trees with golden or cream puffball flowers, native mostly to Australia
🇦🇺 Australia and 6 more · Wildflower
Sensitive PlantMimosa pudica
A touch-sensitive plant whose leaves fold up when disturbed
🇧🇷 Brazil and 8 more · Wildflower
Black locustRobinia pseudoacacia
A tall, fragrant-flowered tree native to eastern North America
🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Flowering tree
LupinLupinus
Tall, spiky-flowered legumes grown for gardens, food, and soil health
🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Wildflower
More from Iceland
All the flowers of Iceland
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis
Tall, sweet-scented wildflower with pale pink blooms and a long history in herbal lore
🇮🇸 Iceland and 8 more · Wildflower
Wild PansyViola tricolor
A small wildflower with purple, yellow, and white blooms found across Eurasia
🇨🇳 China and 3 more · Wildflower
Eightpetal mountain-avensDryas octopetala
A low evergreen with creamy white eight-petalled flowers of Arctic and alpine regions
🇮🇸 Iceland and 2 more · Wildflower
Red campionSilene dioica
A wild pink-red flower of woods and roadsides in northern and central Europe
🇮🇪 Ireland and 4 more · Wildflower