Blue lupine in bloom along the dunes at Camp Helen State Park. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com
The sand dunes along the beaches in the area are dolloped in blue lupine. The gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus) is threatened and endemic to Florida.
Their habitats are sand hills, scrubs and coastal dunes. Some say that this rare perennial shrub is only found in a few counties with Walton fortunate enough to be one.
Early explorers to the panhandle did see Blue Mountain covered in Lupine and gave it the affectionate name that we now call it, even though this plant is becoming more rare due to habitat loss.
Thank goodness we have state parks that protect this beauty. Do not to try to dig up this plant to transplant in your yard. It is instant death, and also against the law to remove protected plants, which this one is.
I understand that there is a symbiotic relationship with micro-organisms in the soil that works with this plant so it is very habitat specific. Many times after a lot is cleared near the beach you will see this plant spring up due to seeds being exposed and the site being just right.
Information courtesy of Snookie Parrish, master gardener. In addition to a gardening consultant and native garden specialist, Snookie teaches at Seaside Neighborhood School. You can contact Snookie via email at: gonative@knology.net
