Hollowleaf annual lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hollowleaf annual lupine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
succulentus
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Lupinus succulentus is a type of lupin plant. It's often called hollowleaf annual lupine, arroyo lupine, or succulent lupine.
This plant grows naturally in California, where it is very common. You can also find it in nearby parts of Arizona and Baja California. Lupinus succulentus can grow in many different places. It can even start growing in areas where the ground has been disturbed, like after construction.
What is Arroyo Lupine?
Lupinus succulentus is a plant that grows for one year. It has a fleshy, or "succulent," stem. It can grow up to about 3 feet (1 meter) tall. How tall it gets depends on how much water and good soil it has. It likes moist, heavy soils, like clay, and lots of sunshine.
Each leaf looks like a hand with 7 to 9 small leaves, called leaflets. Each leaflet can be up to 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) long.
The flowers grow in tall clusters. These clusters are called an inflorescence. The flowers are usually between 0.4 and 0.8 inches (1 to 2 centimeters) long. They are often purple-blue with a white or pink spot on the top petal, called the banner. Sometimes, you might see flowers that are light purple, pink, or even white.
After the flowers, the plant makes a fuzzy seed pod. This pod is a type of legume. It can be up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) long and about 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) wide.
Growing Arroyo Lupine
Lupinus succulentus is one of the best Lupin plants for handling water. Because of this, people often grow it in their gardens. It's used as an ornamental plant to make flower beds look pretty. It's also great for native plant gardens and wildlife gardens. These gardens help local animals and insects. It's also used in projects where people try to make landscapes look more natural.
Here are some tips if you want to grow it:
- Height: It usually grows to be 1 to 4 feet tall.
- Soil Temperature: The best temperature for seeds to sprout is between 55°F and 70°F.
- Blooming Time: The flowers usually appear in April and May.
- Germination: Seeds can take anywhere from 15 to 75 days to sprout.
- Planting Depth: Plant the seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
