Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus
This stout annual lupine grows 1–3 ft tall with whorls of pale yellow flowers from May to June (often with pink or purple tinges), provides nectar for diverse pollinators, tolerates a range of soils with adequate drainage, and is abundant in open or disturbed California habitats such as valley grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodlands.
Common Names
Chick Lupine, Whitewhorl Lupine, Dense Flowered Platycarpos
Summary
Chick lupine, a dense-flowered form of a California native annual herb, grows 0.33–2.6 ft tall in open, disturbed, or recently burned sites from 0–5200 ft elevation and features pale yellow flowers that may have pink or purple tinges, blooming in spring.
Preferring full sun with low, drought-tolerant water needs and fast-draining soils, it tolerates a range of soils and sodic conditions (pH 6.0–8.0); propagation is by seed, with fresh seeds requiring no pretreatment and stored seeds scarification or hot water. It suits bee, butterfly, and bird gardens, provides nectar for pollinators, and should have seedlings protected from birds and snails in winter.
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1-3 feet
Spread
12-18 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 1-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Fast drainage
Soil pH
6.0-8.0
Bloom Color
Yellow
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Annual
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Variety
- Author
- (Benth.) Jeps.
- Publication
- Fl. Calif. 2: 279 (1936)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Fabales
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Subfamily
- Papilionoideae
- Genus
- Lupinus
- Species
- Lupinus microcarpus
Synonyms
Lupinus densiflorus Lupinus densiflorus subsp. lacteus Lupinus lacteus Lupinus densiflorus var. lacteus Lupinus arenicola Lupinus densiflorus var. menziesii Lupinus menziesii Lupinus menziesii var. aureus Lupinus densiflorus var. altus Lupinus densiflorus var. latidens Lupinus densiflorus var. latilabrus Lupinus densiflorus var. mcgregorii Lupinus densiflorus var. perfistulosus Lupinus densiflorus var. sublanatus Lupinus densiflorus var. tracyi Lupinus densiflorus var. vastiticola Lupinus densiflorus var. versabilis Lupinus menziesii f. brunneosulphureus Lupinus densiflorus var. aureus Lupinus densiflorus var. dudleyi Lupinus densiflorus var. stenopetalus