Flower ID: IMG_5893.JPG-05-30-2023 Flower name (scientific): Lupinus perennis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) loo-PIE-nus per-EN-is Flower name (common): Wild Lupine Family name (common): Pea Family name (scientific): Fabaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: The origin of the word Lupinus seems obscure. A popular explanation is that it derives from the Latin lupus meaning wolf, used in the sense of destroyer, since various species were very abundant and supposedly degraded the soil. Though the plant is known to fix nitrogen in the soil. Specific epithet: Latin for perennial, referencing the cycle of the plant. Common name origin: Lupine is a borrowing from Latin goes back to the foyrteen century, and used to denotes plants of the genus Lupinus. Wild denotes the uncultivated habitat where the plant is found. Flower description: Size: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (1.8 to 2.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: blue or purple or white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 8 to 24 inches (20 to 61 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, palmate, leaflets (7 to 11) oblanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, fields, woods, savannas, sandy soil, dry to moist, semi shade to sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): A similar species is Lupinus polyphyllus (Large-leaved Lupine), which is characterized by having 9 to 17 leaflets that are usually about 2 to 5 inches long by 1 inch wide, whereas L. perennis has 7 to 11 leaflets that are typically up to 2 inches long and 0.5 inches wide. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed this plant as a medicine for horses (Smith, p. 40, 1923). Latitude: 44.719790 Longitude: -91.894330 Altitude: 247.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (ON) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Lupinus perennis subsp. perennis (The other infraspecific is Lupinus perennis subsp. gracilis (Chapm.) D.B.Dunn which has been recorded from four southern US states.) Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed