Bloomipedia
Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis)
Photo: Hunter Hammil via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Sundial lupine

Lupinus perennis

Native to Wisconsin

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

29states
2,323WI sightings*
9,388U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Wisconsin

Quick look

Lupinus perennis is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae.

  • 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 29 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Wisconsin. NatureServe
  • In Wisconsin, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,323 research-grade sightings of it in Wisconsin, ranking #54 among the 109 flowers on our Wisconsin list. iNaturalist

Sundial lupine gift ideas

Handmade sundial 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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When does it bloom?

In Wisconsin, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Wisconsin (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (360 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
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DC (SX), DE (S1), IA (S1), MA (S2), MD (S2), ME (SX), MS (S1), NJ (S2), RI (S2), VT (S1), WV (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: seeds. Symptoms they list: “Seeds pisionous if eaten in lrge quantities. Symptoms include respiratory depression and slow heartbeat, sleepiness, and convulsions.” NC State Extension

For petsCan be a problem for cats, dogs and horses

NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses. It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. NC State Extension

🌿 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 sundial lupine in 29 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Wisconsin counties with USDA records: Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood.

More Wisconsin flowers

White clover (Trifolium repens)

White clover

Trifolium repens

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in WI: May–October
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover

Trifolium pratense

★ VT state flowerIntroduced

🌼 Blooms in WI: May–October
Purple crownvetch (Securigera varia)

Purple crownvetch

Securigera varia

★ PA state beautification and conservation plantIntroduced

🌼 Blooms in WI: June–September

Sources