Considered one of the more handsome of the desert perennials, the
“adonis” lupine, as it is known in southern California, is found near
sandy washes in the high desert. It is especially abundant in Joshua
Tree National Monument. The name _adonis_ refers to its great beauty.
The name _lupinus_ is derived from the Latin _lupus_ meaning wolf,
because these plants were at one time thought to be soil predators.
Actually, as with other members of the pea family, lupines are able to
take atmospheric nitrogen and leave it in the ground, thereby increasing
rather than depleting soil fertility.
_Lupinus excubitus_ Pea Family
[Illustration: ADONIS LUPINE (by Jaeger)]