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(Lupinus grayi)
Gray’s Lupine (Lupinus grayi)
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Jean Pawek
CC BY 3.0
Image By:
Jean Pawek
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jean Pawek | License Type: CC BY 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ | Attribution: 2011 Jean Pawek | Publisher: Calphotos |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Lupinus grayi, commonly known as Gray’s Lupine or Sierra Lupine, is a low-growing, prostrate perennial herb that forms spreading mats typically 20 to 30 centimeters high. It is native to the montane and subalpine regions of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range, where it thrives in open woodlands and meadows, often on sandy or gravelly soils. This lupine species is well adapted to its native habitat, which experiences dry summers and snowy winters.
Gray’s Lupine is notable for its attractive, dense whorls of purple or blue flowers, each with a distinctive yellow or reddish patch on the banner, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by hairy legume pods, up to 3.5 centimeters long, which contain the seeds. In cultivation, it is valued for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, its drought tolerance, and its use as a ground cover or in rock gardens. It is also appreciated by pollinators, particularly bees. Gray’s Lupine requires full sun and well-drained soils, and it is relatively low maintenance, needing only minimal water once established. It is not commonly affected by diseases but can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.CC BY-SA 4.0
Gray’s Lupine is notable for its attractive, dense whorls of purple or blue flowers, each with a distinctive yellow or reddish patch on the banner, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by hairy legume pods, up to 3.5 centimeters long, which contain the seeds. In cultivation, it is valued for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, its drought tolerance, and its use as a ground cover or in rock gardens. It is also appreciated by pollinators, particularly bees. Gray’s Lupine requires full sun and well-drained soils, and it is relatively low maintenance, needing only minimal water once established. It is not commonly affected by diseases but can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-1.1 feet
- Width: 0.5-1.1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to montane and subalpine regions of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range
Other Names
Common Names: Sierra Lupine
Scientific Names: Lupinus grayi , Lupinus falsograyi , Lupinus louise-bucariae , Lupinus andersonii var. grayi , Lupinus falsoformis , Lupinus falsoformus , Lupinus ione-grisetae
GBIF Accepted Name: Lupinus grayi S.Watson