Lupinus albifrons is a member of the pea family and grows through a broad range of northern Baja Cal
Lupinus albifrons is a member of the pea family and grows through a broad range of northern Baja California up through southern Oregon. Known as the silver bush lupine, it inhabits many habitats with the common trait of being open spaces with fairly dry conditions. Once established, a deep taproot allows it to draw what little moisture it needs to persist even through hot, dry summers. It produces often copious, fragrant blooms in late spring through early summer and mutable leaves which can become more or less silvery depending on the growing conditions. Notably, this species is one of three which can host the federally endangered mission blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides missionensis). The larvae which feed on the plant become toxic due to the same compounds which make the foliage resistant to herbivory in general. This is in fact a contributing factor to the butterfly’s endangered status as many of the host plants were removed because of their toxicity to livestock. -- source link
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