1242 



LUPINUS* aridus. 

 Arid Lupine. 



DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 



Nat. ord. LEGUMiNOSiE. 



LUPINUS. — Supnl, vol. \3. foL 1096. 



L. aridus ; herbaceus, hirsutissimus, floribus verticillatis pedicellatis brac- 

 teolatis, calycis labio superiore bifido: inferiore integro, foliolis 5-9 lineari- 

 lanceolatis villosis, stipulis subulatis. — Douglas. 



Ccespitosus, pabnaris pedalisve, undique pilis lonyis, rigidis, argenteis, 

 scabrellis vestitus. Folia albo-villosa, foliolis 5-9, lineari-lanceolatis, in 

 desiccato subpxmgentibus colore in f err ugineo mutant e. Racemus terminalis, 

 densus, verticillatus, multifiorus ; pedicelli calyce breviores ; calyx hirsutus, 

 hracteolis duabus minimis subulatis ; labio superiore bifido, inferiore integro 

 falcato. Flores cceruleo-purpurei. Vexillum rotundatum, atropurpureum ; 

 alee falcatce ; carina falcata, apice ciliata, pallida, obtusa. Legumen 

 rigidum, hirsutum, 2-3-spermum. Semina parva, longa, alba. — Douglas. 



Mr. Douglas informs us that this beautiful species is an 

 inhabitant only of woodless, scorched grounds, where, from 

 its compact habit, it forms thick carpets of purplish blue, 

 giving a relief to the eye from the micaceous sand in which 

 it delights to grow. It occupies the same range of country 

 as L. leucophyllus, and is equally common with that species. 



The spontaneous plant is white, with long hairs, and is 

 a true perennial ; but the Garden plant, which is much 

 less hairy, can scarcely be considered more than biennial : 

 from the profusion of the flowers, the plant soon becomes 

 exhausted ; and this, together with its impatience of mois- 

 ture, and the humidity of our climate, is apt to destroy it. 



Mr. Douglas sent it to the Horticultural Society in 

 * Seefol. 1198. " 



