I hadn’t thought of these beautiful flowers as wolf plants, but the Collins Dictionary definition asserts that the word is 14th century in origin, from the Latin lupīnus, “wolfish,” as it was believed that the plant ravenously exhausted the soil (info from Wikipedia).
Seemingly contradictory is this edited quote, also from Wikipedia: Like other legumes, they are nitrogen fixing plants. This adaptation allows lupins to be tolerant of infertile soils and capable of pioneering change in barren and poor-quality soils.
My sister took these pics in her backyard. What a feast for the eyes.


I had no idea that the seeds of lupines are eaten in many parts of the world. However, when I read on, and learned about bitter tastes and that the seeds were often soaked and toasted or boiled and dried, I thought — too much work — I would probably enjoy them more just as a flower to be admired.
May 31, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Hi Anneli, The Lupine flowers are beautiful! Your information on how Lupins are tolerant of infertile soils and capable of pioneering change in barren and poor-quality soils explains why we saw many Lupin fields in Iceland. I agree “…a feast for the eyes.”
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May 31, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Thanks, Erica. They seem to be very tough and beautiful at the same time.
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May 31, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Agreed! I see why life used to be busy long ago when they did this sort of thing.
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May 31, 2020 at 6:42 pm
And one of the hardest jobs was to be the guinea pig for new plants!
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May 31, 2020 at 6:36 pm
Anneli, have you read this wonderful children’s book. It features the beautiful lupin and has a fabulous message. I often give it as a grad gift. All three of my grandkids received one for Christmas one year. Carol S
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May 31, 2020 at 6:42 pm
I don’t think I know it. Do you know the title/author?
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June 1, 2020 at 6:22 am
Mrs Rumphius
By Barbara Cooney
I did send a photo of the cover, not sure why it didn’t show up.
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June 1, 2020 at 8:43 am
Thanks, Carol. I’ll check it out.
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May 31, 2020 at 7:03 pm
They really are beautiful, the 1300’s definition may lack any scientific investigation? 🤔
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May 31, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Yes, that’s very true. I wondered about that.
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May 31, 2020 at 7:36 pm
I think it’s considered an invasive plant in some areas. At any rate, they are beautiful!
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May 31, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Could be. I wish it would invade my garden!
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May 31, 2020 at 7:46 pm
I love these lupines. I am hoping they really are an invasive plant, but so far any lupines growing in my garden are purposely seeded by me! I pick all the seed pods and save them, or give them away. The bees and hummingbirds adore them, not to mention they are a real treat for my eyes! If only the blooms would last longer than a few weeks.
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May 31, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Save a few for me please! I’ll trade you something for them. Money plant, chrysanthemum, poppies?
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May 31, 2020 at 9:52 pm
Lupines are very under appreciated (although they are considered to be a problem in NZ where they are crowding out native species), I think. I like them.
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May 31, 2020 at 10:01 pm
I suppose they are like some of the other plants that are considered invasive (broom, blackberries, purple loosestrife) but they have their place, and I feel the same, I really like them. In a garden situation you can certainly control them.
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June 1, 2020 at 3:43 am
They are very beautiful! I think they would grow in my garden (poor soil). I will try it out. Thanks for the info about those Lupines!
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June 1, 2020 at 8:40 am
If it’s about poor soil, my whole yard should be full of lupines. I should get some seeds and see what happens.
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June 1, 2020 at 9:50 am
They are beautiful. Lupines grow wild in a nature reserve we go to most years. It recently reopened and it’s swarming with people.😟
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June 1, 2020 at 10:39 am
Hopefully those swarms will dissipate in time.On the other hand, it’s good that people are finally desperate enough to appreciate a flower and other beauties of nature, as opposed to concrete and gadgets.
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June 1, 2020 at 1:54 pm
They are really beautiful! 🙂
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June 1, 2020 at 4:39 pm
I have to try to get some for my garden!
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June 1, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Wow, those are beautiful! I had forgotten about those flowers as I don’t think we have them here. Very dramatic, aren’t they?!
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June 1, 2020 at 5:25 pm
Yes, after posting this I got a real craving to get some for my own yard.
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June 2, 2020 at 6:55 am
Beautiful! I guess there are many types of lupine. We have wild lupine blooming now in Colorado. I photographed some last night and may go out later today looking for more. I would love to have your sister’s backyard!
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June 2, 2020 at 9:10 am
I would love to have a backyard like hers too. It would be interesting to see the lupines you’ve photographed. Do you have them on your blog?
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June 2, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Lovely 🙂
Thank you !
Life is good !
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June 2, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Thanks a lot, Hans.
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June 5, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Lupines are beautiful. Do you know the picture book, “Miss Rumphius”? She is the Lupine lady.
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June 5, 2020 at 8:17 pm
A friend of mine mentioned it on facebook after seeing this post, but I’m not familiar with that book. Looks like I might have missed a good one.
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June 6, 2020 at 3:56 am
The library will definitely have it. It’s a popular children’s book.
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June 6, 2020 at 9:50 am
I’ll check it out when this virus thing is over.
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