Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius)
Legume (Pea) Family
Found: Open areas from low to middle and subalpine areas, Pacific Northwest.
About: The name lupine is from lupus or wolf. Lupine was thought to rob the soil of its nutrients ... like a wolf robs a stockman of his sheep, I suppose. In fact, lupine is a good nitrogen fixer.
A number of lupines are poisonous due to their alkaloid concentrations, and some kill sheep if browsed ... possibly another derivation of the name.
Lupine is the state flower of Texas.