| Lupinus nootkatensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nootka lupine growing inIceland. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Lupinus |
| Species: | L. nootkatensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lupinus nootkatensis Donn ex Sims | |
Lupinus nootkatensis, theNootka lupine,[1] is aperennial plant of thegenusLupinus in thelegumefamily,Fabaceae. It is native toNorth America and was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century.[2] It grows up to 60 cm tall, and has bright bluish-purple flowers.
The Nootka lupine is common on the west coast of North America, and is one of the species from which the garden hybrids are derived, being valued in Britain and other North-European countries for its tolerance of cool, wet summers. In North America, it grows along roadsides, gravel bars, and forest clearings from the Aleutian Islands andSouthcentral Alaska, and along theAlaskan panhandle toBritish Columbia. It is a rigorous self-seeder and can often be seen along roadsides and in open meadows. Their long tap roots make transplanting difficult, so sowing seed is preferable.
The species was first described asLupinus nootkatensis in 1810 byJames Donn inBotanical Magazine, Vol. 32, Page 1311.[3]
Onthe Plant List the species is divided in twovarieties:[4]
A member of the pea family (Fabaceae), lupines form seeds in fuzzy pods that may be attractive to children. The seeds of the lupine can be toxic, though toxins flush through the system quickly and are not cumulative. However, internal use is not advised.[5]
In Iceland, the Nootka lupine has been designated an invasive species.[6] The plant was introduced in the first half of the 20th century to combat erosion, speed up land reclamation and help withreforestation. Dense lupine cover and soil fertility can be gained within a relatively short time span, where the growth of the lupine is not limited by droughts.[7] The plant has spread from the loose, eroded soil in which it was originally planted and is now found throughout the lowlands of Iceland.[8]
The lupine is well suited for reclamation of large, barren areas because of its nitrogen fixation and rapid growth. Furthermore, it has an ability to extract phosphorus from compounds in poor soils.[9] In spite of these good qualities, it has a tendency to become dominant and to colonize already vegetated areas such as dwarf shrub-highlands, where it overtakes the natural flora and threatens biodiversity.[8] The growth of the Nootka lupine has led to public debate about its presence in Iceland, with some praising its improvement of soil throughnitrogen fixation and the vibrant colour it brings to Iceland's landscape, and others concerned that it will eradicate native flora, particularly the favoured nativecrowberry andblueberry patches.[10]
The initial expectation was for the Nootka lupine to retreat gradually along with increased fertility of the soil and give way for other species. This is evident on sites in Iceland where the lupine was introduced early, such as in Heiðmörk near Reykjavík.[11] However, plant succession is towards aforb-rich grassland, often dominated by the invasive speciesAnthriscus sylvestris, meaning that careful management of lupine is necessary to prevent it from colonizing areas where its presence is not desirable.[12]
