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Tree Lupin

Lupinus arboreus

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea)

Also in this family:

Alpine Milk-vetch, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot, Birdsfoot Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bithynian Vetch, Bitter Vetch, Black Broom, Black Medick, Bladder Senna, Broad Bean, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Bur Medick, Burrowing Clover, Bush Vetch, Clustered Clover, Common Broom, Common Gorse, Common Laburnum, Common Restharrow, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Crown Vetch, Dragon's Teeth, Dwarf Gorse, Dyer's Greenweed, False Acacia, Fine-leaved Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Garden Lupin, Garden Pea, Goat's Rue, Grass Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Greenweed, Hairy Tare, Hairy Vetchling, Hairy-fruited Broom, Haresfoot Clover, Hop Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Hungarian Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Knotted Clover, Large Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Lucerne, Marsh Pea, Meadow Vetchling, Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot Trefoil, Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Narrow-leaved Vetch, Nootka Lupin, Norfolk Everlasting Pea, Orange Birdsfoot, Petty Whin, Purple Milk-vetch, Purple Oxytropis, Red Clover, Reversed Clover, Ribbed Melilot, Rough Clover, Russell Lupin, Sainfoin, Scorpion Senna, Scottish Laburnum, Sea Clover, Sea Pea, Sickle Medick, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Slender Tare, Slender Trefoil, Small Melilot, Small Restharrow, Smooth Tare, Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spiny Restharrow, Spotted Medick, Spring Vetch, Strawberry Clover, Suffocated Clover, Sulphur Clover, Tall Melilot, Toothed Medick, Tuberous Pea, Tufted Vetch, Twin-headed Clover, Two-flowered Everlasting Pea, Upright Clover, Upright Vetch, Western Clover, Western Gorse, White Broom, White Clover, White Lupin, White Melilot, Wild Liquorice, Wood Vetch, Yellow Oxytropis, Yellow Vetch, Yellow Vetchling, Zigzag Clover

Type:

Semi-evergreen shrub

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

150 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Gardens, roadsides, sand dunes, scrub, seaside, wasteland.

Flower:

Yellow, 5 petals

An erect spike of pea-like, sulphur yellow flowers, occasionally tinged blue or purple, up to 30cm long. Flowers are occasionally but rarely lilac/purplish. Pollinated by bees.

Fruit:

Dark brown or black, hairy pod. Up to 3 inches long and half an inch wide.

Leaves:

Palmate, greyish-green leaves. The lower surfaces of the leaves are covered in silky hairs.

Aroma:

The flowers are fragrant.

Other Names:

Bush Lupin, Tree Lupine, Yellow Bush Lupin.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

White Lupin

Summary

Lupinus arboreus, also known as tree lupine, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to the western coast of North America, specifically in California and Oregon. It is known for its spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers that typically bloom in late spring to early summer. The plant has palmate leaves and it can grow up to 1.5 meters in height, although it is more commonly found as a shrub. The plant prefers well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade, and it is hardy in zones 8-10. The plant is often found in chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats, it is well adapted to dry conditions and is used in landscaping and erosion control. The plant can be propagated from seed and cutting.

Blog

Tree Lupin, scientifically known as Lupinus arboreus, is a stunning perennial plant native to California and Oregon in the United States. It belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, and is known for its beautiful yellow or white flowers, which grow in tall spikes.

The Tree Lupin is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including drought, wind, and coastal salt spray. It is also able to grow in a variety of soil types, from sandy to heavy clay soils, as long as they are well-drained.

The Tree Lupin is a large plant that can reach heights of up to 5 feet, with a spread of 4-6 feet. Its leaves are palmately compound, with 5-8 leaflets, and are green-gray in color. The flowers are held in dense spikes, which can be up to 12 inches long and are produced in late spring to early summer.

The flowers of the Tree Lupin are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. This makes it a valuable plant for any garden, as it helps to support local ecosystems and biodiversity.

In addition to its aesthetic value, the Tree Lupin also has several practical uses. It is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that it has the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants. This makes it an excellent choice for use in crop rotation, as it can help to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

The seeds of the Tree Lupin are also edible, and were historically used by Native Americans as a food source. They can be roasted or boiled and have a nutty flavor.

Despite its many positive attributes, the Tree Lupin can also have negative impacts on ecosystems. It has the potential to become invasive in certain areas, particularly in coastal regions of California and Oregon, where it can outcompete native vegetation and alter ecosystem processes.

The Tree Lupin is a beautiful and versatile plant that can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits to gardens and ecosystems. However, it is important to carefully consider its potential impacts before introducing it into a new environment.

Tree Lupin, also known as Yellow Bush Lupin, is a popular plant in horticulture due to its ability to grow in a wide range of conditions and its attractive flowers. It is often used in garden borders, rock gardens, and coastal landscaping.

One of the unique features of Tree Lupin is its ability to grow in poor soils. It has a deep taproot system that allows it to access nutrients and moisture deep in the soil, making it an excellent plant for erosion control and stabilizing soil. In addition, its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil makes it an excellent companion plant for other plants that need high levels of nitrogen, such as tomatoes and peppers.

Tree Lupin is also a valuable plant for wildlife, providing habitat and food for many species. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, while the seeds provide food for birds and small mammals. The plant's dense growth habit also provides cover for wildlife, making it an important component of many ecosystems.

In terms of cultivation, Tree Lupin is a relatively low-maintenance plant. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It is drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering is necessary during the first year of growth. The plant should be pruned back after flowering to promote bushier growth and prevent self-seeding.

One thing to note is that while Tree Lupin is generally not considered invasive in North America, it can become a problem in some regions. In New Zealand, for example, it is considered an invasive weed due to its ability to spread rapidly and outcompete native vegetation.

In addition to its ecological and horticultural benefits, Tree Lupin has also been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous people in North America. The plant contains alkaloids and other compounds that have been found to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic properties. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, rheumatism, and urinary tract infections.

Modern research has also shown that Tree Lupin contains compounds with potential anticancer properties. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that extracts from the plant inhibited the growth of human cancer cells in vitro, suggesting that it may have potential as a natural cancer treatment.

Despite its many benefits, Tree Lupin is not without its challenges. In addition to its potential to become invasive in some regions, the plant is also susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. These include aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, and root rot. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment are necessary to keep the plant healthy and thriving.

Overall, Tree Lupin is a fascinating and versatile plant with many potential uses and benefits. Whether grown for its beauty, ecological value, or medicinal properties, it is a plant that deserves attention and appreciation. By understanding its characteristics and taking appropriate measures to manage its growth, we can ensure that Tree Lupin continues to provide benefits for generations to come.

Facts about the Tree Lupin

Here is a list of facts and a summary about Tree Lupin:

Facts:

Tree Lupin, also known as Yellow Bush Lupin, is a perennial plant native to California and Oregon in the United States.
The plant belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, and is known for its attractive yellow or white flowers.
Tree Lupin is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including drought, wind, and coastal salt spray.
The plant can grow up to 5 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, with palmately compound leaves and dense flower spikes up to 12 inches long.
Tree Lupin is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means it has the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants, making it an excellent choice for improving soil fertility.
The plant is a valuable source of food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
In addition to its horticultural and ecological benefits, Tree Lupin has been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous people in North America.
While not considered invasive in most regions of North America, Tree Lupin can become invasive in some areas, such as coastal regions of California and Oregon.
The plant is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, and root rot.

Summary: Tree Lupin is a versatile and hardy plant with many benefits, including its attractive flowers, nitrogen-fixing properties, ecological value, and potential medicinal uses. While it is not invasive in most regions of North America, it can become a problem in some areas and requires appropriate management to prevent this. Overall, Tree Lupin is a plant that deserves attention and appreciation for its many contributions to gardens, ecosystems, and human health.