Monday, March 29, 2010

The Sky is Blue and So Are You

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Several fluffy silver lumps of beautiful skyblue lupine (Lupinus diffusus) dot the sands of the the Western sandhill and most all are covered in bloom right now.  Skyblue lupine are found commonly throughout the state of Florida in sandhills and dry open hammocks. Popular with bees, the flowers have a pale blue corolla with a creamy white central spot. Even when not in bloom, they are easily recognizeable by their silky silvery haired foliage. Lupine are a member of the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae) known commonly to many as the bean family or legumes. Lupine are in a sub order of legumes described as papilionaceous or having flowers that resemble a butterfly.

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