Wild Russell lupin are Russell lupins that are established by natural means. Russell lupins rapidly invade rocky braided river systems, providing habitat for predators who predate on vulnerable, often endangered nesting birds. Russell lupin form thick infestations which negatively impact water flow along rivers, changing the ecosystem for the birds and aquatic species that rely on this habitat. This pest causes sand and gravel to build up, changing the shape of rivers and contributing to flooding and erosion.

This pest grows quickly and produces a large number of seeds. Seeds are spread by explosive pods, dispersed either naturally by water and soil movement or through human-mediated dispersal through intentional seed scattering. The seeds can remain dormant in soil for many years.

Originating from North American, this invasive pest can tolerate a wide variety of conditions and is distributed across Otago.

• Size: Russell lupin is a fast-growing herb that can grow up to 1 metre tall.

• Leaves: It has multiple erect, hairy stems with clusters of leaflets that are usually hairless above and silky below.

• Flowers: It produces a flowerhead spike that stands up straight, with many slightly scented, multicoloured flowers from September to February.

• Seed pods: They contain dark brown seeds with spots of colour and are covered in dense, soft hairs.

• Habitats: Disturbed lowland and sub-alpine shrubland, short tussockland and wetlands.

• Similar species: The tree lupin, also known as yellow lupin (Lupinus arboreus and hybrid L. arboreus x polyphyllus) form a woody perennial shrub with predominantly yellow flowers with blue or purple streaks; while blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) is generally a smaller annual plant with narrower leaflets and blue flowers. Tree and blue lupin do not have pest status in Otago’s pest plan.
  Russell lupin can be differentiated from these species as it is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it dies back over winter and regrows from the rootstock, forming large, dense flower spikes that occur in a wide range of colours, including purple, pink, blue, white and yellow. These lupin species all have the characteristic palmate leaves and pea-like flowers typical of the genus.

Russell lupin is most visible when flowering from September till February.

Over the life of the pest plan (10 years) the goal is to sustainably control the extent of Russell lupin within certain distances from waterways and property boundaries.

• On rural-zoned land in Otago no Russell lupin is allowed to be planted within:
  • 200m (at the time of planting) of the outer gravel margin of a braided river or if there is no outer gravel margin, 200m from the edge of the active channel
  • 50m from any non-braided river
  • 10m from any artificial watercourse
  • 10m from an adjoining property boundary
• Everyone on rural-zoned land must also eliminate all wild Russell lupin in the above boundaries.

Physical control:

• You can hand pull or dig out small plants all year round and leave on site to rot.

Chemical control:

• You can also cut the plant to the stump and apply triclopyr, metsulfuron-methyl or glyphosate all year round.

• You can spray the whole plant with clopyralid or triclopyr during the active growing period.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Disclaimer: Mention of product trade names does not endorse these products nor imply criticism of similar products not mentioned. The Otago Regional Council does not give any warranty that the information is accurate or complete or that it is suitable for all circumstances.

www.orc.govt.nz/wildrusselllupin