Bluntlobe lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bluntlobe lupine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
obtusilobus
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The bluntlobe lupine (scientific name: Lupinus obtusilobus) is a beautiful type of lupine plant. Lupines are a group of flowering plants known for their tall, colorful flower spikes. This particular lupine is often found growing in the high mountains of northern California.
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About the Bluntlobe Lupine
The bluntlobe lupine is a special plant that adds a splash of purple to mountain landscapes. It's known for its unique leaves and pretty flowers. This plant is a great example of the diverse plant life found in California's wild places.
Where It Grows
This amazing plant calls the high mountains of northern California home. You can find it in places like the North Coast Ranges, the Klamath Mountains, and the northern part of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
It loves to grow in different kinds of mountain areas. Sometimes, in the spring, it covers entire meadows with its bright purple flowers. Imagine a whole field looking like a purple carpet!
What It Looks Like
The bluntlobe lupine is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem. It can grow straight up or spread out along the ground. Its main stem usually reaches about 15 to 30 centimeters (about 6 to 12 inches) long.
Leaves and Stems
Each leaf of the bluntlobe lupine looks a bit like the palm of your hand with fingers spreading out. This is called a palmate leaf. It has about 6 to 7 smaller leaflets, and each leaflet can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. The whole plant, especially its leaves and stems, is covered in soft, silvery, silky hairs. This gives it a shiny, almost fuzzy look.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the bluntlobe lupine grow in a small cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is a type of spike known as a raceme. The flowers are arranged in a few groups, or whorls, along the stem. Each flower is just over a centimeter long and is usually blue or purple. They often have a small yellowish patch on their top petal, which is called the banner.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a type of legume pod, similar to a pea pod. It's also covered in those silky hairs and can grow up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. Inside these pods are the seeds for new bluntlobe lupine plants.
