Miniature Lupine: The 43rd Flower of Spring!

2 pictures in notes above :D

I had totally forgotten that we have a species of Lupine that grows on our property, so when I nearly stepped on this Miniature Lupine, I was so happy to see its leaves reaching up to me like a child wanting to be picked up! :D These darling little flowers pop up all over the lower part of our property and try with great determination to rise above the grass that usually towers over these short plants.

Miniature Lupines are also known as Bicolor Lupines because they are deep blue-purple and white (though sometimes the white is light purple). They are native to western North America from British Columbia south to California, and can be found from sea level the high mountains in any kind of soil. Miniature Lupines seem to have several types, though they aren't classified; for instance, the picture on Wiki's page shows a lupine totally different than what I have seen on my property and on Mount Ashland.

These flowers are part of the genus, "Lupinus", and includes over 280 species, found in North and South America, Africa and Europe. They are in the legume family, which includes peas and beans! In fact, the seeds or beans of lupines were popularly eaten by Romans, and even today, lupine beans are served in Mediterranean countries as well as Lebanon and in some South American countries too. Lupines are good companion plants for many vegetables that like nitrogen, such as cucumbers, squash, broccoli and spinich. They are slowly becoming recognized as an alternative cash crop to soy beans, and are grown in several countries as livestock feed! And yet, these beans can cause Lupin poisoning and may cause reactions to those allergic to peanuts.

If you would like to know more about Miniature Lupines, Wiki has a great page here: Wiki: Miniature Lupine (Lupinus bicolor) For more information about Lupines, Wiki has a great page here: Wiki: Lupine (Lupin)

This image was taken in April, 2012.