Lupin
From Freepedia
- For other uses, see Lupin (disambiguation).
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| Image:Bluebonnet1.jpg Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) | ||||||||||||||||
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over 150 recognised species, including: |
Lupin, often spelled lupine in the US, is the common name for members of the genus Lupinus in the family Fabaceae. Like most members of this family, Lupins can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, fertilizing the soil for other plants (see legume).
ITIS recognises over 150 species of lupin, and there are also numerous hybrids and cultivars. Some species, such as the Garden Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (Lupinus x regalis) are common garden flowers. Others, like the Bush Lupin L. arboreus are considered invasive weeds when they appear outside their native range.
Lupins have a characteristic and easily recognised leaf shape, with soft green leaves divided into 5-16 finger-like leaflets that diverge from a central point. They have a long central tap root.
The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) and other similar species are the State flower of Texas, USA.
The Nootka Lupin (Lupinus nootkatensis) is common on the west coast of North America, and is one of the species from which the garden hybrids are derived, being valued in Britain for its tolerance of cool, wet summers.
The Kincaid's Lupin (Lupinus sulphureus subsp. kincaidii) is native to the Willamette Valley of Oregon as well as parts of Washington. It is a threatened species.
The Sundial Lupin (Lupinus perennis) is an eastern North American native that generally grows in sandy areas with acidic soil and copious sunlight. It is the sole oviposition site and larval food source for the endangered Karner Blue and Frosted Elfin butterflies.
Lupins are cultivated as forage and grain legumes. Three species of Mediterranean lupin, Lupinus angustifolius (Blue Lupin), Lupinus albus (White Lupin) and Lupinus luteus (Yellow Lupin) are cultivated for livestock and poultry feed and for human consumption. The Andean lupin, Lupinus mutabilis, is also edible. These lupins are referred to as sweet lupins because they contain less toxic alkaloids than the bitter varieties. Both sweet and bitter lupins can cause livestock poisoning. Lupin poisoning is a nervous syndrome caused by alkaloids in bitter lupins. Mycotoxic lupinosis is a disease caused by feeding livestock with sweet lupin material that is infected with the fungus Phomopsis leptostromiformis, the fungus produces mycotoxins called phomopsins, that cause liver damage.
