Coulter's lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coulter's lupine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
sparsiflorus
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Lupinus sparsiflorus, also known as Coulter's lupine, is a beautiful wild flower. It belongs to the lupin family and grows naturally in North America. This plant is found in parts of the United States and Mexico.
About Coulter's Lupine
Coulter's lupine is a type of plant called an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It usually grows to be about 20 to 40 centimeters (8 to 16 inches) tall.
Where It Lives
You can find Coulter's lupine in several places. In the United States, it grows in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. If you travel to Mexico, you might see it in Baja California and Sonora. It often grows in desert areas.
What It Looks Like
Coulter's lupine has interesting leaves and flowers.
- Leaves: Each leaf looks like a hand with fingers spread out. It has 7 to 11 very thin leaflets. These leaflets are only a few millimeters wide and up to 3 centimeters long.
- Flowers: The flowers grow in a spiral shape on a tall stem. Each flower is about one centimeter long. They are usually blue or purple. As the flower gets older, its color becomes darker.
- Petals: The top petal of the flower is called the "banner." It often has a white or pink patch. This patch can change from yellow to reddish after the flower has been pollinated. The two bottom petals are called the "keel." They are short and wide, with a hairy edge, and they curve upwards to a point.
How It Spreads Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms seed pods. When these pods are ready, they burst open. This helps to scatter the seeds far and wide, often carried by the wind. This way, new lupine plants can grow in different places the next year.
