Every acre of conserved land tells a story, and often, those stories are rooted in the plants and wildlife that define a place. Conservancy Stewardship Director and plant aficionado Rose Macaulay brings a keen eye and deep appreciation for the wildflowers, grasses, and trees that shape our region’s landscapes. She’s a nature lover at heart and grew up flipping over rocks looking for salamanders and watching caterpillars scuttle down the trail. Today, her curiosity still plays an important role in stewarding the land and understanding the symbiotic relationships that exist to support the health of our landscapes.

Native plants – with their beauty and resilience play an essential role in healthy ecosystems. Here, she gives us some insight into one local native plant seen across our region.

Silky Lupine (Lupinus sericeus)

“When I’m out walking through dry meadows or forest edges in late spring into fall, one of the plants that always catches my eye is silky lupine. Its tall spikes of purple-blue flowers rise above the grass, and the silvery hairs on its leaves shimmer in the sunlight. This plant is tough and beautiful and is a standout in western wildflower communities.”

• Distinctive look: Tall spikes of purple-blue, pea-like flowers bloom in late spring and summer. Silvery hairs on its palm-shaped leaves give it a soft, “silky” glow.

• Drought ready: Deep roots help it survive hot, dry summers and stabilize loose soils.
  
• Soil builder: Like other members of the pea family, it adds nitrogen to the soil, boosting the health of surrounding plants.
  
• Pollinator favorite: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to its nectar; birds and small mammals enjoy its seeds.
  
• Where it thrives: Found from the Great Plains to the Pacific Northwest, especially in dry meadows, grasslands, and forest edges.