Over the past twenty-two years Mt. St. Helens has been going through many changes. Since the May 18, 1980 eruption the first sign of plant life was Lupine. Lupine are nitrogen fixers that started to make the soil more fertile allowing many other species of plants to grow. There are many types of grasses and wildflowers, as well as conifers like Douglas-fir and Pacific Silver fir. Different types of shrubs have also been growing especially along the banks of natural springs.

    Lupine (Lupinus sp.)are a member of the pea family and have nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with them. They grow in harsh conditions--such as those that are growing on Mt. St. Helens. These lupine provide the new soil on Mt. St. Helens, and the nutrients (with help from the associated bacteria) for a variety of other plants to grow. Lupine have petals that are a bluish-purplish color. Their leaves are small and clustered together and they have a hairy silky texture. These beautiful flowers not only make Mt. St. Helens a great place to look at, but they also help other plants to thrive in this ecosystem.