Description
Sicklekeel lupine is a lovely perennial lupine with whorls of mainly dull white to pale purple, pea-like flowers that have a sickle-shaped keel. Blooms late May through early July. The flowers fade to brown before setting seed. The leaves are palmately divided into 5-10 leaflets. The plant generally grows 2.5′-4′ tall. In the Klamath-Siskiyou region sicklekeel lupine grows in part-shade in openings or on the edge of woodland or forested habitat at lower elevations, and on open, dry, exposed slopes at higher elevations in the mountains. Native to the western United States from Washington to California, sicklekeel lupine has been used for revegetation of roadsides and other disturbed habitat. Lupines are nitrogen fixing and are good for revegetation and soil stabilization in locations with poor soil fertility. Used extensively by native bees and other pollinators. A larval host plant for some butterflies. Drought tolerant and deer resistant when established.
Sickelkeel lupine (Lupinus albicaulis) seed packets contain approximately 55 seeds.
Seed Germination Instructions
30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
