Habit: one of the larger lupines, producing several stems from a branched crown and growing to heights of 5 ft (1.5 m). Leaves are large and compound with 5-17 leaflets, each leaflet is elongated, oval, dark green above and pale below. Inflorescence is a large spike (raceme) with individual pea flowers arranged in several dense whorls, ranging in color from white to bluish purple. The fruits are hairy pods. Bigleaf lupine blooms between June and August.
Ecology: common in the Western and Northeastern United States and Canada. Preferring moist habitats, Lupinus polyphyllus is usually found growing in moist to wet meadows near streams, bogs, or in open woods at low to mid elevations.
Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade in moist to wet, fine textured soil.
Some species of lupine seeds are poisonous to humans and livestock and should be considered when planting. Once established it often reseeds itself.