Lupinus Latifolius, Broadleaf Lupine

Although not always easy to observe, lupinus latifolius can be identified by the upper margin of the keep petal, which is hairless from the tip to the middle, and finely hairy below; similar species are either completely hairless, or hairy along the full length of the keel margin. Steams and leaves usually have a short hair covering, but may be hairless. Plants are large, up to seven feet tall, and form extensive clumps. The palmate leaves are also large, divided into leaflets up to four inches long and nearly one inch wide. The lower surface is more hairy than the upper.

The flowers are spread out along up to two feet of the top of the stems, and are often arranged in whorls. Flowers are attached by stalks around half an inch long, which have a bract at the base. Petals are colored variously white, purple or blue. The banner spot is white to pale yellow, becoming purple with age.

At least nine subspecies of lupinus latifolius are recognized (barbatus, columbianus, dudleyi, leucanthus, longipes, latifolius, parishii, viridifolius, wigginsii), differing mostly in hairiness and flower dimensions.