LUPINUS argenteus (Mountain Lupine)

LUPINUS argenteus (Mountain Lupine) is a perennial plant native to western North America. Mountain Lupine is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it lives for multiple years. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, which includes legumes or pea family plants. Mountain Lupine forms an upright plant with palmate leaves divided into several leaflets. The leaflets are typically green and may have a silvery or grayish tint, giving the plant its specific epithet "argenteus," meaning "silvery." The overall foliage has a soft and fuzzy texture. The plant produces tall flower spikes with densely packed, pea-like flowers. The flowers can vary in color, including shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. The individual flowers are arranged in dense clusters along the spike. Mountain Lupine typically blooms in the late spring to early summer, generally between May and July. The blooming period may vary depending on the local climate and growing conditions. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife sp