“Sundial Lupine, Palms Open for Pollinators”

“Sundial Lupine blooms profusely in racemes with pea-like blue & purple flowers. Palm-shaped leaves surround the plant as an added attraction, making it a popular choice for gardens or restorations with dry, sandy soils. Lupine requires well-drained soils but will adapt to most dry soil types; sand. loam, and gravel. You can find lupine in oak savannas, sand prairies, and pine barrens plant communities.  Lupine foliage can look a little worn by the end of summer, so plan for late summer and fall bloomers nearby in the garden.

(Source: Prairie Moon Nursery, based in Winona, MN)

Pollination Facts:

• Sundial Lupine is a host plant for 108 caterpillar species (butterflies and moths)

• Pollinated by native bees, especially Bumblebees, who have the heavy bodies and strength needed to open the flowers. When a bee lands on the wing petals, its weight depresses them and forces the hidden keel upward. This upward pressure pushes pollen out against the bee’s abdomen, while the sticky stigma contacts the bee to pick up pollen from previous flowers. When the bee flies off, the wings snap back into place.
• Also pollinated by other native bees including Mason, Mining, Leafcutter, and Eastern Carpenter bees
• Lupines do not produce any nectar; they exclusively offer protein-rich pollen as an attractant and reward for foraging bees
• Young, receptive lupine flowers feature a white or pale spot on their upper banner petal
• Once pollinated successfully, the pistil produces ethylene, causing the banner spot to turn a deep purple-red
• Purple-spotted flowers have virtually no viable pollen left. This color change acts as a visual “closed for business” sign, teaching bumblebees to waste no time and focus only on the active, pale-spotted blossoms

Who is in this piece?

This piece features two Blue Karner butterflies (top left and center top right) in honor of their host plant relationship, two Bumblebees (right and left), and a Mason bee (upper center on Lupine flower).