Collared annual lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collared annual lupine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
truncatus
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The Lupinus truncatus is a special type of lupine plant. People often call it the collared annual lupine. This plant is found in the sunny coastal mountains and canyons. You can see it growing in Baja California and California. It grows as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area.
This lupine loves sloped areas. It thrives in places like chaparral and woodlands. It can even grow in areas that have recently had a wildfire.
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What Does the Collared Annual Lupine Look Like?
The collared annual lupine is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all within one year. It usually grows to be about 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) tall. That's about half the height of an average person!
Its Unique Leaves
Each leaf on this plant looks like a hand with fingers. This is called a palmate leaf. It has 5 to 8 long, thin leaflets. These leaflets are about 2 to 4 centimeters long. They are only a few millimeters wide. The tips of these leaflets are very interesting. They look like they've been sharply cut off or squared. This unique shape is why the plant is named "truncatus."
Its Pretty Flowers
The flowers of the collared annual lupine grow in a cluster. This cluster is called a raceme. The flowers are spaced out along the stem. Each flower is about one centimeter long. They are usually a beautiful magenta or reddish-purple color. You might also see a yellowish or magenta spot on one of its petals. This spot is called the banner.
Its Fruit Pods
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a fuzzy legume pod. It's about 3 centimeters long. That's roughly the length of your thumb! The pod is also about half a centimeter wide.
