Yellow Bush Lupine

(Lupinus arboreus)
 
Presidio of San Francisco Yellow Bush Lupine
A Yellow Bush Lupine blooms at Lobos Creek Dunes.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Lupinus is Latin for "wolf."

Presidio Locations: Found on coastal dunes.

Range In State: Central to northern California coast. The Presidio is the type locality for this species.

Description: This native of the Pea Family has smooth, green, hairy, palmate leaves (resembling the palm of your hand). The erect stems have dense, yellow flower clusters and pod like, brown-black fruit. Lupines have the ability to fix nitrogen into soil. Tree lupines are host larvae of the Tree Lupine Moth, a once federally threatened insect. Blooms May to August.

Native Californian Uses: The Pomo and the Kashaya used the root fibers to make string for deer and rabbit nets, gill nets and carrying nets.

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Did You Know?

U.S. Army major rank insignia

In 1915, a tragic fire at the Presidio  claimed the lives of General Pershing’s wife and his three daughters.  Pershing's son, Francis Warren, survived the blaze and chose to enlist in the army as a private during World War II.  By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of major.