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Wild lupine is Illinois' only native lupine. The plant is small (1-2.5' tall) with light- to reddish-green stems with a grey cast from profuse short hairs (as are the leaves and leaf petioles). The flowers are blue-violet, typical pea-like flowers ~3/4" long, similar in structure to wild indigo flowers (five petals — a banner, two wings, and two keels). The fruits are 1-2" long, hairy pea-like seed pods, black when mature. The palmately-compound leaves with such a profusion of leaflets are distinctive. Wild lupine is the only known host plant for the caterpillars of the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), a federally listed endangered species.

Lupinus

Lupinus perennis

wild lupine [Blooms: May-Jun]