Nootka lupin – Lupinus nootkatensis

The natural distribution range of Nootka lupin extends in coastal areas of the western parts of North America from the Aleutian Islands through Alaska all the way to British Columbia. In North America, its habitats are gravelly sandbanks of the coast and rivers, as well as dry slopes. In Europe, Nootka lupin was introduced as an ornamental plant in England in the late 18th century. From England, it was further imported into Sweden and Norway in the mid-19th century. In Iceland, the first records of Nootka lupin date back to 1885.

Currently, it is widely distributed and well established in the island’s lowlands. Especially since the 1960s, it has been used in reforestation as a soil improving plant before planting seedlings, and to prevent erosion. In Norway, Nootka lupin has shown signs of aggressive spread, and especially in southwestern and central parts of the country, it continues to spread out on sandy beaches, as well as along the edges of roads and railways. In Iceland, it also grows in very large areas plagued by erosion, like volcanic sand fields and flood plains.

Nootka lupin effectively reproduces from seeds which retain their germinative capacity for a long time in the soil seed stock. In Iceland, Nootka lupin has mainly spread to new habitats intentionally, but its seeds can also travel with running water, landslides, storms, and longer distances even with birds to other areas.

Nootka lupin is also classified as a harmful plant in Iceland and Norway.

In Finland, Nootka lupin is a fairly rare ornamental plant. The first known sightings of the plant escaping from a garden go back to Luumäki in 1986. In 2013, a roadside deposit about 200 to 300 metres long came to attention in Pudasjärvi. There are other confirmed observations of Nootka lupin in Raahe, the Rovaniemi region, Salla, and the latest findings are from 2020 in Kittilä and Inari. It is also highly possible that Nootka lupin is spreading to Northern Finland from Norway.