Flower profile

Nootka lupine

Lupinus nootkatensis

Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–July across the U.S.

Native to Alaska

Nootka lupine is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Alaska it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.

2states where USDA records it

1,986AK sightings*

1,987U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska

Quick look

Lupinus nootkatensis, the Nootka lupine, is a perennial plant of the genus Lupinus in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to North America and was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century. It grows up to 60 cm tall, and has bright bluish-purple flowers.
From Wikipedia's article Lupinus nootkatensis, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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 2 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 1,986 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #14 among the 121 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Alaska, most flowering sightings come in June–July.

Flowering records by month in Alaska (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (116 records)

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
Alaska: No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
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?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. ^{USDA PLANTS}

For petsNot well documented

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 nootka lupine in 2 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Washington.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians East, Aleutians West, Anchorage, Bethel, Bristol Bay, Chugach, Copper River, Denali, Dillingham, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island, Lake and Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Sitka, Yakutat, Yukon-Koyukuk.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Nootka lupine a medium shade tolerance, none drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -35 °F.

Shade tolerance: Medium
Drought tolerance: None
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium
Soil pH range: 6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: -35 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 120
Annual precipitation range: 28 to 80 inches
Minimum root depth: 12 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Medium
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Short
Active growth period: Summer
Fruit or seed: · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by: seed
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LUNO. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 18 counties across 1 states; the most are in Alaska (18).

Other Lupinus on Bloomipedia (5): Lupines, Texas bluebonnet, Sundial lupine, Lupine (large-leaved lupine), Coulter's lupine.

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): White clover, Red clover, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Bird's-foot trefoil, Partridge pea, White sweetclover, Common vetch.

More Alaska flowers

Seaside pea

Lathyrus japonicus

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–July

Alpine sweet-vetch

Hedysarum alpinum

Native

🌼 Few flowering records in AK

White clover

Trifolium repens

Introduced

🌼 Few flowering records in AK

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LUNO.
iNaturalist, Lupinus nootkatensis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Lupinus nootkatensis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Lupinus nootkatensis (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS.
Photo: Matt Muir via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.