Lupinus pusillus | |
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Lupinus pusillus, Montana | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Lupinus |
Species: | L. pusillus
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Binomial name | |
Lupinus pusillus Pursh
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Lupinus pusillus, the rusty lupine [1] or dwarf lupine, is an annual plant in the legume family ( fabaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States(California), [2]: 159 and north to Montana.
It is an annual plant growing up to 9 inches (23 cm) tall. "Pusillus is for the small size of the plant. [2]: 159
Leaves are compound palmate with 3-9 1⁄2 to 1+1⁄2 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm) long inversely lance- shaped leaflets. [2]: 159
Plant stems and leaf stems ( petioles) have long spreading hairs. [2]: 159
It blooms from April to June. [2]: 159
Flowers are in stalks of 4-38 and bluish to purple or bicolored, with a yellow spot on the upper petal. [2]: 159
Seedpods are nearly oval and have constrictions separating the seeds. [2]: 159
It can be found in desert shrubland and pinyon juniper woodland communities, from as far north as Washington, to California, and throughout the southwest. [2]: 159
When growing in reddish sand, the blue flowers make a striking contrast with the sun at a low angle. [2]: 159
It is pollinated by bees. [2]: 159