
Flower profile
Lupine (large-leaved lupine)
Lupinus polyphyllus
Lupine (large-leaved lupine) is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Maine, New Hampshire
Quick look
Lupinus polyphyllus, the large-leaved lupine, big-leaved lupine, many-leaved lupine, blue-pod lupine, or, primarily in cultivation, garden lupin, is a species of lupine (lupin) native to western North America from southern Alaska and British Columbia and western Wyoming, and south to Utah and California. It commonly grows along streams and creeks, preferring moist habitats.
- It belongs to the Fabaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 17 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to New Hampshire. NatureServe
- NatureServe lists it as not native to Maine. NatureServe
- In Maine, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
- In New Hampshire, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 1,445 research-grade sightings of it in Maine, ranking #41 among the 110 flowers on our Maine list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 502 research-grade sightings of it in New Hampshire, ranking #72 among the 109 flowers on our New Hampshire list. iNaturalist
Lupine gift ideas
Handmade lupine gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Lupine art print
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Lupine greeting card
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Lupine mug
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Lupine earrings
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Lupine embroidery pattern
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Lupine sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Introduced | May–July | 1,445 |
| New Hampshire | Native | May–July | 502 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Maine
- Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
- New Hampshire
- Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records lupine (large-leaved lupine) in 17 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.
Maine counties with USDA records: Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Waldo, York.
New Hampshire counties with USDA records: Cheshire, Coos.
More Maine flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LUPO2.
- iNaturalist, Lupinus polyphyllus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Lupinus polyphyllus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Maine: Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories.
- Maine: Maine Do Not Sell invasive plant list (01-001 C.M.R. ch. 273).
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020).
- New Hampshire: NH Prohibited Invasive Species List (Agr 3800, Table 3800.1).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Lupinus polyphyllus (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Cam Fox via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.


