Herbs, perennial, 1.5–5(–6) dm, densely silky-sericeous. Cotyle­dons deciduous, petiolate. Stems decumbent to erect, few to several-tufted, unbranched or branched. Leaves mostly basal with 3 or 4 cauline; stipules not leaflike, green to silvery, 8–12 mm; basal petioles 4–7 cm, proximal cauline petioles 3.5–15 cm, distal ones 2–3.5 cm; leaflets 5–9, blades 15–70 × 3–8 mm, surfaces densely pubescent, adaxially less pubescent and greener. Peduncles 2.5–7(–13) cm; bracts subpersistent, 4–10 mm. Racemes 3–10(–12) cm; flowers in 3–6 whorls. Pedicels 2–5(–7) mm. Flowers 10–13 mm; calyx slightly gibbous adaxially near base, bulge or spur 0–1 mm, abaxial lobe 3-lobed, 5–7 mm, adaxial lobe 2-lobed, 4–6 mm; corolla blue to purple, banner spot light yellow, banner with inconspicuous hairs abaxially, adaxial keel glabrous or with a few cilia along adaxial edges towards tip, keel upcurved. Legumes 1.5–3 cm, silky-pilose. Seeds 4–6.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Mesic to dry, sandy, gravelly, or rocky openings, lodgepole pine forests, alpine pumice fields.
Elevation: 80–2600 m.

Distribution

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B.C., Yukon, Alaska.

Discussion

Lupinus kuschei is of conservation concern in Alaska; it is known from southern Alaska to northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

Lupinus kuschei may prove to be a hybrid between L. arcticus and L. sericeus.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.