The genusLupinuscontains approximately 200 specie native to the Americas and the Mediterranean region ; they are generally sturdy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zona 4 to 8 . lupine are legumes with palm-shaped leaves and attractive flower , and they are often used as garden ornamentals . Species varieties , however , often do n’t get along well in the garden , andhybrid lupines(Lupinus x hybrida ) have been developed for meliorate domestic functioning .
Some of the most popular hybrid lupines , the so - calledRussell loanblend , develop to between 1 and 3 feet in altitude and flower profusely in summertime .
Flower Form
Lupine flowers form on blossom stalk that may range in length from 3 to 18 column inch . The flowers themselves are shaped like those of other legumes , with their lower flower petal forming a cup shape . Depending on the variety , the flowers may be blue , purple , pink , blank , yellow or even bi - dark .
After flowering , the plant developshairy germ pods , each of which contains three to nine seeds . The ejaculate are about 1/4 inch long and resemble beans .
Heat Tolerance
American lupine species are aboriginal to the western United States , where they rise in the first place incool alpine habitats , and although lupin grows well in full sun , it can gain from shelter from the afternoon sun during the summer . It does not do well in hot , humid climate , and in USDA zone 7 to 9 , it fares better when it isgrown as an annualrather than as a perennial .
Weediness and Invasiveness
Some lupin specie , such asbigleaf lupine(Lupinus polyphyllus ) , have proven to be problematic out of doors of the context of the garden . This species , also sometimes called garden lupin , is an decorative perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 6 . It typically grows to between 3 and 4 feet in height , and some specimens may reach 5 feet . It has hollow root and chemical compound leaves , each of which is made up of nine to 16 booklet .
Bigleaf lupin is a highlyadaptable plantthat can tolerate a wide range of growing condition ; although it prefers cool , moist climates , it tolerate dry periods , and it is able to grow well even in nutrient - substandard soils . Because of its adaptability , it is capable to open into area where it ’s not necessarily welcome . In the eastern United States , it is consider an incursive species , and it has get off from gardens and spread widely through the Midwest , the Northeast and easterly Canada .
Lupine Toxicity
Some species of lupine , such assilky lupine(Lupinus sericeus ) andvelvet lupine(Lupinus leucophyllus ) , areconsidered to be toxicbecause of the alkaloid compounds they contain , particularly in their seeds and seed pods . Silky lupine is hardy in USDA zona 3 through 9 and velvet lupine is stout in USDA zones 8a through 10b . The toxins are particularly dangerous to livestock that may graze on the plants and their seed . Potential gist of the toxins let in lethargy , breathing difficulties , passing of brawniness controller , birth defects when consume by fraught beast , and even death if the seeds are consumed in large quantities .
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