Lupinus (arbustus)

Scott Jensen Botanist USDA FS - Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory 735 N 500 E Provo, Utah 84606 801-356-5128 801-375-6968 (fax) sljensen@fs.fed.us www.fs.fed.us/rm/boise

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Family Scientific Name:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Legume family
Scientific Name:	Lupinus arbustus Dougl. ex Lindl.
Common Name:	longspur lupine, spurred lupine
Species Code:	LUAR6
Ecotype:	14 biotypes from Utah and Nevada ranging in elevation from 4750 ft. to 8850 ft.
General Distribution:	Plains, hillsides, and valley floors, in sagebrush climax and open pine forest, mostly below 8200 ft. elev., interruptedly widespread across the northwest third of the intermountain region
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	7.5 cu.in. QPlug
Time To Grow:	12 Weeks
Target Specifications:	Transplantable plug. 4+ true leaves.
Propagule Collection:	Lupine pods shatter when ripe, requiring collection while the seed is still green. As seed ripens pods become thin and change from green to yellow becoming somewhat transparent. Pods are ripe for harvest when individual seeds can be discerned when held against a light background. Hand stripping, breaking or cutting ripened inflorescences all bulk seed quickly for this species. This species ripens relatively uniformly across a plant and population. Harvested lupine seeds and pods have high moisture content and must be quickly spread out to dry. Small collections are covered with metal screens and large collections with mesh tarps to catch seed as the pods forcefully dehisce. Seed typically dries to between 5 and 7 % of the initial green bulk weight.
Propagule Processing:	Separate loose seed at the bottom of the bag or tarp from pods. Typically 50% of the seed will be loose. Lupine seed tends to be brittle and can be damaged by aggressive abrasion. Dry pods are run rapidly through a debearder then processed through a Clipper seed cleaner using a # 14 round screen and full wind to remove chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Lupinus arbustus seed requires no scarification. Seed is moistened and inoculated with rhizobium and mycorrhizae. Planting occurs in late January or early February.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Greenhouse: 65øF day/ 50ø night with 12 hours of light. Beaver Plastics 91/130 Styroblock containers are filled with 7.5 in3 Q plugs leaving a ¬" headspace. Two seeds per cell are planted ¬" to «" deep. Trays are heavily watered three to four times to saturate potting media. (Q Plugs are available from International Horticultural Technologies, LLC. Hollister CA. www.ihort.com)
Establishment Phase:	Germination begins in about 4 days. Trays are watered as needed to ensure seed remains moist
Length of Establishment Phase:	4 weeks, with most germination occurring during week 2. The first true leaves emerge in about two weeks.
Active Growth Phase:	Trays are thinned to 1 plant per cell. At 2 week intervals, beginning at 4 weeks, plants are fertilized with a liquid drench (15N:15P:15K).
Length of Active Growth Phase:	8 weeks.
Other Comments:	Funding was provided by the Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project.
References:	Retrieved Dec., 13, 2006, from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov. Cronquist, A., Holmgren, A. H., Holmgren, N. H., Reveal, J.L. and Holmgren, P. K. 1989. Intermountain Flora; Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 3, Fabales. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 26 February 2007). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Citation:

Jensen, Scott L. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Lupinus arbustus Dougl. ex Lindl. plants 7.5 cu.in. QPlug; USDA FS - Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory Provo, Utah. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.