Seashore lupine
Lupinus littoralis
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A plant that lies along the ground and forms mats. It has long underground stems or rhizomes. The leaves are compound with leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. The plants are covered with white silky hairs. This gives them a blue-green appearance. The flowers are like pea flowers and blue or purple. They are in rings in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are seed pods like pea pods. The pods are black and hairy.
There are about 200 Lupinus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In Canada it grows along the shore line on sandy beaches and dunes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The roots or fleshy rhizomes are dried then roasted and eaten. They can be toasted in the embers of a fire. Caution: The rhizomes contain toxins that are poisonous if eaten raw. They cause dizziness.
Edible parts
Root, caution
How it is grown
The rhizomes can be 1 m long.
Its other names
Local names
Chinook licorice, Comnuchtan