Sundial Lupine - Lupinus perennis

 

Unlike the rest of Florida's native lupines, sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) is widely distributed throughout eastern North America - from Florida and extreme east Texas in the south, to Minnesota and northern Maine in the north. It is not especially common in Florida, however, as it is at the southernmost limit of its range in the Panhandle.  Unlike Florida's other lupines, it also is a long-lived perennial; our other species tend to bloom in their second and third year and then die.  Individual plants are rhizomatous so it spreads into large clumps over time. In Florida, sundial lupine occurs in the well-drained soils of sandhills and xeric open woodlands though it occurs in a wide variety of soil types north of Florida. Regardless of soil preferences, it is a plant of open sunny areas.

This species is distinct in terms of its foliage as well. Its multi-parted palmate leaves are decidedly different from the single leaves of our other native species - though other non-native lupines also share this attribute. There can be as many as 11 leaflets per leaf, but always at least 7.  This is a wildflower that dies to the ground in winter and reemerges again in very early spring.  A basal rosette of compound leaves eventually reaches a mature height of about 1 foot by March. The leaves are alternate along the stem and are slightly tomentose.

Flowers are produced from late spring into early summer on single stalks that reach 1-2 feet above the basal leaves. They are typical for the genus with a large keeled lower lip. It is the only native species in Florida with a pure pinkish blue flower, unspotted and more lavender than the blue of sky-blue lupine (L. diffusus).  These flowers are pollinated mostly by bees - especially bumblebees. The ripened seed pods mature by early fall.  Lupines are the host for the frosted elfin in north Florida and also the endangered Karner blue within its limited range outside of Florida. Lupines also can be an important browse plant for deer and other herbivores, but has some toxicity to some domestic livestock. Seeds also have some toxicity if eaten in large quantities.

Like other members of this genus, sundial lupine is extremely difficult to transplant because of its deep taproot. It can be propagated by seed, however, or by dividing clumps of their newly developing plants.  Sundial lupine is widely offered in the native nursery trade north of Florida for its many attributes including its ability to fix soil nitrogen, but I have not seen it offered in Florida by nurseries affiliated with FANN - the Florida Association of Native Nurseries.  I have never attempted it in my central Florida landscapes and have no idea how well it would adapt to landscapes south of its natural range. 

Photos with permission by Lily Byrd.