Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus, Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1095 (1827))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Lindl.

Bibliography: Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1095 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lupinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Canada to W. U.S.A., E. Canada to NC. & NE. U.S.A.

Description

Washington lupin, known scientifically as Lupinus polyphyllus, is a vibrant member of the family Fabaceae. This perennial plant was first described in 1827 by esteemed botanist John Lindley in the Botanical Register.

Washington lupin is prominently found across diverse landscapes of North America. It ranges from western Canada to the western United States, and from eastern Canada to the northeastern and central regions of the United States. This widespread distribution showcases the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions.

Characterized by its dense, towering spikes of vividly colored flowers, Washington lupin is not only a spectacular visual feast but also a boon to local biodiversity. The plant’s blooms range in hue from deep purples to rich blues, and sometimes even shades of pink and white. These flowers are particularly attractive to pollinators, serving as a vital nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other insects.

The foliage of Washington lupin is equally distinctive, with its palmate leaves composed of multiple leaflets radiating from a central point. Such foliage provides a lush green backdrop that highlights the stunning flower spikes.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Washington lupin plays an important ecological role. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it and promoting healthier growth of surrounding vegetation. This makes it a valuable plant not only in natural ecosystems but also in garden settings, where it can improve soil quality.

Washington lupin’s robust and hardy nature makes it suitable for various landscaping and restoration projects. However, it is important for gardeners to manage its proliferation, as it can sometimes be invasive outside of its native range.

Whether admired for its beautiful floral display, its ecological benefits, or its historical botanical significance, Washington lupin remains a cherished species in both wild and cultivated gardens. Its role in promoting pollinator health and soil vitality underscores its importance in maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: altramuz perenne, bigleaf lupine, blue pod, garden lupin, garden lupine, large-leaf lupin, large-leaved lupin, large-leaved lupine, meadow lupine, russel lupin, russell lupin, washington lupin, washington lupine, big-leaved lupine, many-leaved lupine
Lit: gausialapis lubinas
Fra: lupin des jardins, lupin vivace, lupin à folioles nombreuses, lupin polyphylle, lupin pérenne
Ita: lupino a foglie numerose, lupino foglioto
Dan: mangebladet lupin, staudelupin
Deu: staudenlupine, vielblatt-lupine, vielblättrige lupine
Nld: vaste lupine
Spa: altramuz perenne
Swe: blomsterlupin, komealupiini
Lav: daudzlapu lupina
Hun: erdei csillagfürt
Nno: hagelupin
Nob: hagelupin
Est: hulgaleine lupiin
Fin: komealupiini
Ces: lupina mnoholistá, lupína mnoholístková
Por: tremoçeiro-de-jardim, tremoço-de-jardim, tremoceiro-de-jardim
Sme: gilvvalupiidna
Cym: bysedd-y-blaidd y gerddi, pys blaidd yr ardd
En: Washington lupin, Garden lupin, Large-leaf lupin, Bigleaf lupine, Blue-Pod Lupine, Marsh lupine, Big-leaved lupine, Large-leaved lupine, Many-leaved lupine, Blue Pod, Large-leaved lupin, Meadow Lupine, Russel lupin, Russell Lupin, Washington lupine, Altramuz perenne, Garden lupine, Blue Lupine, Largeleaf lupine
Ar: ترمس عديد الأوراق, ترمس كبير الأوراق
Be: Лубін мнагалісты
Zh: 多叶羽扇豆
Cs: Lupina mnoholistá, Lupína mnoholístková
Da: Mangebladet Lupin, Staude Lupin, Staude-Lupin, Staudelupin, Staute-Lupin, Stautelupin
Nl: Vaste lupine
Et: Hulgalehine lupiin, Hulgaleine lupiin
Fi: Komealupiini, Lupiini
Fr: Lupin pérenne, Lupin polyphylle, Lupin vivace, Lupin des jardins, Lupin à folioles nombreuses
De: Staudenlupine, Vielblättrige Lupine, Stauden-Lupine, Vielblatt-Lupine, Garten-Lupine
Hu: Erdei csillagfürt
Is: Fjölblaðalúpína
It: Lupino a foglie numerose, Lupino foglioto, Lupino fogliuto
Lv: Daudzlapu lupina
Lt: Gausialapis lubinas
Mk: Многулистен волчјак
Se: Gilvvalupiidna
No: Hagelupin
Nb: Hagelupin
Nn: Hagelupin
Fa: لوپن
Pl: Łubin trwały
Pt: Tremoçeiro-de-jardim, Tremoço-de-jardim, Tremoceiro-de-jardim
Ru: Люпин многолистный
Sk: Lupina mnoholistá, Vlčí bôb
Es: Altramuz perenne, Lupino
Sv: Blomsterlupin, Komealupiini
Zh-tw: 多葉羽扇豆
Tr: Büyük yapraklı acı bakla
Uk: Люпин багатолистий
Cy: Bysedd-y-blaidd y gerddi, Pys Blaidd yr Ardd

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Maine (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New York (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Québec (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mongolia (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 14, 2014 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Sophie Min (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2014 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2015 by Sarah Wood (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 21, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2019 by camomila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2019 by camomila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Ian Fenwick (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Anna Magnusson (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 10, 2020 by Hüseyin Tuncay (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by augusto46 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2022 by Bela Borbely (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 22, 2020 by bex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2021 by selber pflanzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Johannes B (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Alex Supertramp (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by VeronikaMSK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by timmummy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2019 by von N. Reinhard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Jan Erik Krikken (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by HeyZeus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Lucier Louis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Pascal PELLETIER (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:504939-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2964355)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 7