Lupinus prunophilus

(Big-leaf Lupine)

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Lupinus prunophilus, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3302

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Lupinus prunophilus, Divide Rd., Uncomphagre Plateau, Mesa Co. 3302

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Lupinus prunophilus, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3275

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Lupinus prunophilus, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3276

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Lupinus prunophilus, CR13, Rio Blanco Co. 2266

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Lupinus prunophilus, CR13, Rio Blanco Co. 2275

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Lupinus prunophilus, CR13, Rio Blanco Co. 2233

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Lupinus prunophilus, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3328

Scientific Name Lupinus prunophilus (Lupinus polyphyllus var. prunophilus) USDA Plants Symbol LUPR2
Common Name Big-leaf Lupine ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 26097
Family Fabaceae (Pea) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to montane (6000 to 10000 ft); dry soils in grasslands, sagebrush meadows, and roadsides.
Plant: Bushy, erect perennial to 40 inches tall, sometimes taller; multiple stems often with very small hairs.
Leaves: Palmately-divided leaves on long petioles with 8 to 12 large, usually flat, broadly to narrowly oblanceolate leaflets; upper surface usually hairless; thinly hairy edges and lower surface.
Inflorescence: Many pea-like blossoms arranged in a raceme 5 to 12 inches long atop each stem and extending well above leaves; flowers pale to dark blue to violet or bicolored, banner with a white spot.
Bloom Period: May to July.
Fruit: Seed pod 1 to 1-5/8 inches long and very hairy.
References: L. prunophilus in SW Colorado Wildflowers and L. polyphyllus var. prunophilus in "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County