Lupines, the purple, pink and white spiked flowers, are iconic images of Maine, ranking almost with moose, loons and lobster. They bloom in depressions, on roadside banks and in gardens. They arrive in early June and fade quickly.
Native Mainers and visitors love the expanses of colorful spires that herald summer. But some naturalists do not share that love, condemning the lupine as an invasive species that chokes out native plants. A couple of years ago, rangers began eradicating them from Acadia National Park, but they heard so many complaints from the public that they halted the program.
Lupines may not "belong" in Acadia National Park, as one official said, but they are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
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