superbloomings:Let’s take a look at some Foothill Lupine (Lupìnus succuléntus).Found in the Pea...

superbloomings:

Let’s take a look at some Foothill Lupine (Lupìnus succuléntus).

Found in the Pea Family (Fabaceae) this annual herb is a dominant fire follower and blooms from February through May on Grassy slopes and in Coastal Sage Scrub.

Fun fact: L. succuléntus enjoys blooming below 1500 feet on eastern facing slopes for the early sun. Succuléntus means “thick, fleshy, and juicy.”

Note the very pale mutation observed in a recent burn scar.

References:

Dale, N. (2000). Flowering plants of the Santa Monica Mountains: Coastal and chaparral regions of Southern California. Sacramento: California Native Plant Society.

McAuley, M., & Kenney, J. P. (1985). Wildflowers of the Santa Monica mountains. Canoga Park, CA: Canyon Pub.