Skyblue Lupine

Sometimes, even we are caught off guard here and get to see a moment of magic: such is the blooming of Skyblue Lupine (Lupinus diffusus). This Florida native has a green-grey foliage covered with a down of silky hairs. For most of its life, the Skyblue Lupine is an easy to overlook bit of greenery, but then it blooms. 

This wildflower can be found throughout the southeast in sandy, well-drained uplands. Skyblue lupine is a short-lived perennial that lives about three or so years. In the first year, only foliage is seen. In the second year, it will increase in size and may produce a few flowers. By its well established third year, it may put on quite a show. We found this sprawling collection of blooming stalks in the Backwood Forest Preserve, shining in a patch of sunny ground.

It's hard to photograph a flower that is the color of the sky. Blue and purple blooms just don't ever seem to be captured and preserved in their proper brilliance. 

The foliage of this native lupine is also rather showy. The stems and leaves of the plant are covered in fine, silky hairs. This downy fur creates a silvery sheen to the foliage, making it look somehow fey and otherworldly.

What's in a Name?

The genus Lupinus derives its name for the Latin word for "wolf". The connection to the animal is unclear and might reference the downy coat of the plant, but the plants of this genus were believed to be harmful to the soil and depleting it of nutrients.

The specific epithet diffusus come from the Latin word meaning loose and spreading. The Skyblue Lupine does indeed have a loose and spreading habit, sprawling out from the base of the plant.

Each leaf, each stalk, each individual flower has its own special and rare beauty. If you get a chance to see this wildflower, I would suggest that you stop a moment. There's a sort of magic in finding something blooming that is such a fleeting show.

Bonus 19th Century Literature Reference: To Seek the Blue Flower

In 19th and 20th century literature, the image of the blue flower was representational of that which was unattainable: a quixotic quest for the heart of beauty, art, love, even eternity. It was first made popular by the novel 'Heinrich von Ofterdingen' written by Novalis, the pseudonym of author Georg Philipp Friedrich Freiherr von Hardenberg. Published in 1800, this work was followed by several other authors who also utilized the imagery of seeking a blue bloom to represent the quest of romanticism.

Read more:

• Project Gutenberg: Henry of Ofterdingen: A Romance. by Novalis (English Translation)
• "Die Blaue Blume" by Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (In German)
• American Notes and Queries, Volume 4, Nov 30, 1889 Notes: Blue Rose

Die Blaue Blume 

I seek the blue flower,
I seek, yet never find her
I dream that in this flower
my good luck blooms.

I wander with my harp
through countries, cities, and meadows
if there among these
to see the blue flower.

As I wander for a long while
I have hoped, have trusted
alas, I have nowhere
seen the blue flower.

-Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff, 1818

-Translation by Michaela Gibbons, 2016