Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Stinging Lupine


Stinging Lupine, Lupinus hirsutissimus. I saw these along the trail the other day. They were not in great numbers but rather they were interspersed among the other wild flowers somewhat infrequently. I noticed them over and above the other Lupine because their hairs sparkle in the sun, looking like glistening pipe cleaners with flowers on them. Luckily for me, I only wanted a picture of them. When I looked them up I discovered that they sting, resulting in dermatitis - i.e., a nasty itch. They are native to Coastal California sage scrub.

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