Aaron's rod, Carolina lupine
Thermopsis villosa

Family: Leguminosae

What it is like

Thermopsis villosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Woodland clearings, open meadows, prairies, road banks and disturbed fields.

Native only to forest openings in the Appalachians, but it is adaptable to rich garden soils throughout the eastern United States.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Nitrogen Fixer. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

An herbaceous perennial plant in the legume family with a flower head resembling yellow lupins. Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium. Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade. Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8). Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained soil. Bloom Time: July. Bloom Description: Yellow. Flower: Showy. Tolerates Drought and Dry Soils. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. Sometimes still sold as Thermopsis caroliniana.

Propagating it: Root Division, Seed- scarify seedcoat, germinate at room temperature or with bottom heat. Mature plants may be divided in the fall.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Foliage is toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Carolina lupine, Aaron's rod, Carolina bush pea

Synonyms

Baptisia villosa (Walter) Nutt. Podalyria villosa (Walter) Michx. Sophora villosa Walter. T. caroliniana M.A.Curtis