Description
Chick lupine adorns valleys and foothills in purple to pink flowers in the spring, generally May to June, depending on the site. It is found from the Trinity River south in the Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion, but it also grows on the edges of the region, in the Shasta and Rogue Valleys. Chick lupine is also referred to by the additional common name, valley lupine. It is an annual wildflower that grows in open or disturbed areas, in grasslands, meadows, chaparral, or woodland plant communities, and it especially likes recently burned areas. Depending on site conditions and annual precipitation, chick lupine will grow from 4-31″ tall.
Chick lupine (Lupinus microcarpus) has several varieties throughout its range that extends from British Columbia in the north, and south to Baja California. Our seed is from the variety Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, which has purple to pink flowers. Other varieties can be yellow or white.
A member of the pea or legume (Fabaceae) plant family, chick lupine has green, palmately compound leaves. The flowers are arranged in an open whirl around the stalk, and the flowers turn into a small dehiscent pod containing 2-3 seeds.
This species will prefer to grow in full sun with moderate moisture. It is adaptable to various soil types.
Chick lupine (Lupinus microcarpus) seed packets contain approximately 20 seeds per packet.
Seed Germination Instructions
Sow seeds outside in fall to early spring. Fresh seeds will not need any pretreatment.
Stored seeds may go into a type of dormancy and may need scarification or hot water treatment to help trigger germination.
For more information about native seed germination, please read through our Seed Germination and Propagation Reference Guide.
