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Fabaceae
Carolina Lupine
Thermopsis villosa
Mountain strength.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Thermopsis
- Native to
- Southeastern United States, Appalachian Mountains
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 3-5 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, acidic, average fertility
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Despite looking like true lupines, Carolina lupine is in a different genus and is much easier to grow.
- The plant forms dense colonies via spreading rhizomes, filling in gaps naturally over time.
- Carolina lupine is native exclusively to the southern Appalachian Mountains at elevations above 3,000 feet.
- Unlike many lupines, this species does not require inoculation with rhizobium bacteria to fix nitrogen.
- The fuzzy seed pods resemble miniature pea pods and are covered in silky hairs, reflected in the species name 'villosa.'
Color meanings
0
imagination
1
happiness
2
resilience