lady lupine

plant

Also known as: Lupinus villosus

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Lady lupine, or Lupinus villosus, is a species of plant belonging to the genus Lupinus, which is part of the pea family, Fabaceae. This genus includes about 200 species of herbaceous and woody plants, with many found in North America.1

Lupines are known for their attractive flower spikes and their ability to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. The name "lupine" comes from the Latin word for "wolf," stemming from an old misconception that these plants depleted soil minerals.1

Lady lupine is distributed throughout the southern United States. Other notable species include the Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) and white lupine (L. albus), which is used as a forage and cover crop.1

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lupine
Major species
diffusus) and lady lupine (L. villosus) are distributed throughout the southern United States. Bigleaf lupine (L. polyphyllus), from the Pacific Northwest, is an invasive species in parts of Europe and New Zealand, where its ornamental Russell hybrids have escaped cultivation.
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diffusus) and lady lupine (L. villosus) are distributed throughout the southern United States. Bigleaf lupine (L. polyphyllus), from the Pacific Northwest, is an invasive species in parts of Europe and New Zealand, where its ornamental Russell hybrids have escaped cultivation.
Read More