Species › Plants › Wild Blue Lupine

Wild Blue Lupine

Lupinus perennis

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Wild Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Wild Blue Lupine is a striking native wildflower of sandy, acidic soils in the northeastern and midwestern United States, producing tall spikes of blue-to-purple pea flowers. It is the exclusive larval host plant for the Karner blue butterfly, an endangered species. Its populations have declined significantly with the loss of sandplain habitats.

Habitat
Sandy, acidic soils in pine barrens, oak savannas, and open woods
Diet
Sole larval host for endangered Karner blue butterfly; bumblebees pollinate
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Wild Blue Lupine

The best time to see a Wild Blue Lupine is May–June, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,550 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Wild Blue Lupine? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Wild Blue Lupine sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Wild Blue Lupine?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Wild Blue Phlox
Wild Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Wild Chive
Wild Chive
Allium schoenoprasum
Wild Garlic
Wild Garlic
Allium canadense
Wild Geranium
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Wild Hyacinth
Wild Hyacinth
Camassia scilloides
Wild Hydrangea
Wild Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Wild Leek
Wild Leek
Allium tricoccum