[Lupines: The Genus Lupinus East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Chick Lupine

Lupinus microcarpus

Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus

Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Chick lupine as seen on ashy slopes of the cutbanks along Oregon Highway 218 about one mile west of Clarno, OR..........May 16, 2010.

Characteristics:

Chick lupine is an annual wildflower with one to several erect stems ranging from 7-30 cm high (including the racemes). The palmately compound leaves are finely pilose except for the light green, glabrous upper surfaces. The leaf hairs are horizontal or widely ascending and measure from 1.3-2.5 mm long. The leaves have 5-9 leaflets, which are oblanceolate in shape with obtuse to slightly acute tips, and measure 8-28 mm long by 3-8 mm wide.

The flower stems range from 4-11 cm long and barely hold the raceme above the uppermost leaves. The raceme measures 1.5-12 cm long. The flowers are found in 2-5 verticils of 3-6 flowers each, the verticils spaced from 5-25 cm apart. The ascending petioles are 1-2.5 mm long and subtended by a long, slender bract. The calyx measures 7-11 mm long and is unequally 2-lipped and swollen on the upper surface where it meets the petiole. The petals are white, lilac, pale purple, or reddish-pink. The banner measures 8-12 mm long and has a white, purple spotted center. The keel is 10-14 mm long and ciliate margined immediately above the claw. The pods are 2-seeded, ovate-acuminate, and 13-17 mm long by 7-10.5 mm wide.


Habitat:

Chick lupine may be found in open areas on sandy and stony flats, volcanic clay badlands, and along roadsides.


Range:

Chick lupine is found from Vancouver Island south , extending east of the Cascades to southeastern Washington, eastern Oregon, northeast California, and northwestern Nevada.


Close-up of the keel of Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus) - Close-up sideview of the flower of Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus) - Dorsal leaf surface of Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus) - Close-up of the raceme of Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Additional photos of chick lupine as seen on ashy slopes of the cutbanks along Oregon Highway 218 about one mile west of Clarno, OR..............May 16, 2010.


Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Masses of chick lupines in bloom along Highway 380 (Paulina Highway) about one or two miles east of the junction with Juniper Canyon Road, Crook County, Oregon.......June 22, 2019.

Seedling Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus) - Seedling Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Seedlings of chick lupine seen sprouting along the Hard Stone Trail on the west bank of the John Day River, Cottonwood Canyon State Park.........March 14, 2024.

Seedlings of Chick Lupine: Lupinus microcarpus (Synonyms: Lupinus densiflorus var. densiflorus, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus, Lupinus subvexus, Lupinus subvexus var. transmontanus)

Seedlings of chick lupine seen sprouting along the Hard Stone Trail on the west bank of the John Day River, Cottonwood Canyon State Park.........March 19, 2017.

Paul Slichter