Lupinus nanus explained

Lupinus nanus, the sky lupine, field lupine, dwarf lupin, ocean-blue lupine^[1] or Douglas' annual lupine, is a species of lupine native to the western United States. It is found natively in California, Nevada, and on Steens Mountain in eastern Oregon. It tends to grow on slopes^[2] and in open or disturbed areas below 1300 meters.^[3]

It grows 6to tall with blue flowers containing white or yellow spots. It is an annual plant that blooms in the months of March, April and May.^[4]

It contains anagyrine^[5] and is considered toxic if directly ingested.^[6] Among the biologically active chemicals found in the plant are genistein, 2'-hydroxygenistein, luteone and wighteone.^[7]

Variation

Lupinus nanus has a large genetic variability.^[8] There are three accepted subspecies of Lupinus nanus:^{[9] [10]}

• Lupinus nanus subsp. latifolius (Benth. ex Torr.) D.B. Dunn – Sky lupine
• Lupinus nanus subsp. menkerae (C.P.Sm.) D.B. Dunn (commonly called Menker's lupine)
• Lupinus nanus subsp. nanus Douglas ex Benth. – Sky lupine

Lupinus nanus is often found in mixed populations with Lupinus bicolor, Lupinus pachylobus, Lupinus micranthus, and Lupinus vallicola (some of these species are not currently recognized as distinct taxa in the Jepson Manual). In addition to the subspecies above, varieties include^[11]

• Lupinus nanus var. apricus (Greene) C.P.Sm.
• Lupinus nanus var. carnosulus (Greene) C.P.Sm.
• Lupinus nanus var. maritimus Hoover
• Lupinus nanus var. perlasius C.P.Sm.
• Lupinus nanus var. vallicola (A. Heller) C.P.Sm.

External links

• USDA profile of Lupinus nanus
• Photo gallery

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ocean-blue lupine (Lupinus nanus) (National Gardening Association). garden.org. 21 June 2016.
2. Web site: Calflora: Lupinus nanus. www.calflora.org. Calflora. 21 June 2016.
3. Web site: Sholars. Teresa. Jepson Herbarium: Jepson Flora Project: Jepson eFlora: Lupinus nanus. ucjeps.berkeley.edu. 21 June 2016.
4. Web site: Lupinus nanus. www.wildflower.org. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. 21 June 2016.
5. Book: Fuller. Thomas C.. McClintock. Elizabeth May. Poisonous Plants of California. 1986. University of California Press. 9780520055698. 164. lupinus nanus.. en.
6. Web site: KNOW YOUR PLANTS!. www.calpoison.org. California Poison Control System. 21 June 2016.
7. Book: Bisby. Frank. Phytochemical Dictionary of the Leguminosae. 18 August 1994. CRC Press. 9780412397707. 437. en.
8. Knops. Johannes M. H.. Barthell. John F.. Flower Abundance in a Population of Sky Lupine (Lupinus Nanus) over Three Years in Central Coastal California. Madroño. 1 January 1996. 43. 1. 85–92. 41425120.
9. Web site: Lupinus nanus (Douglas ex Benth.) - subspecies and accepted taxa . United States Department of Agriculture. 4 March 2014.
10. Web site: Lupinus nanus Douglas ex Benth.. www.itis.gov. 21 June 2016.
11. Web site: Fabaceae of North America Update, database (version 2011). www.itis.gov. 21 June 2016.