Silvery Lupine  - Lupinus argenteus

Location/Trail:  Wing MountainDate sighted:  8/13/2010 Season:  SummerA Colorado Plateau native, found at elevations of 3200-10000ft. The silvery-gray palmate leaves give this plant its name. An outstanding feature of the lavender pea flowers is the profuse fragrance. Like other members of the pea family, lupines enhance soil fertility by fixing atmospheric Nitrogen. This plant is possibly poisonous to livestock due to the presence of alkaloids. Native Americans have used the crushed leaves as a poultice to relieve poison ivy blisters. Pictured above is the rarely found white floral coloration.