Lupinus perennis L.

Wild Lupine

Habitat: Dry open woods, clearings and openings

Range: Southern Maine to New York, south to Florida

Aids to Identification: Wild lupine is very similar to the common lupine (L. polyphyllus) that has naturalized itself in fields and on roadsides. Both have blue-purple to pale pink pea-like flowers and palmately compound leaves. Wild lupine has 7-11 leaflets, only reaching 5 cm in length, compared to the naturalized lupine which has 11-17 leaflets that reach 13 cm in length.

Ecological characteristics: One location of this plant was on a sandy shore of a pond.

Phenology: Flowering April through July

Family: Fabaceae

Synonyms: Represented in Maine and New England by ssp. perennis. No synonyms noted.

Known Distribution in Maine: This rare plant has been documented from a total of 3 towns in the following counties: Aroostook, Knox, Oxford

Reason(s) for rarity: At northern limit of range.

Conservation considerations: Unknown, has not been seen in Maine in several years. Possibly mistaken for the common, introduced lupine. Some populations may have succumbed to residential development.