FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Lupinus nootkatensis, Nootka Lupin, Lúpina

Lupinus nootkatensis; the nootka lupine is one of the taller and robust herbal flowering plants in Iceland and can not be mistaken easily by other common plants on Iceland. Before flowering the hand-shaped leaves make this plant also easy to recognize. It has been introduced in Iceland for purposes of soil fertilization. As member of the pea family (Fabaceae, Papillionaceae section) it is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into organic nitrogen by using specialized bacteria living symbiotically in their roots. It has settled in different regions of Iceland where it can be found on dry, poor, often disturbed soils. It also grows commonly along roadsides. The Icelandic name of this species is Lúpina.