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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lupinus nootkatensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[105]. Used as a protein-rich vegetable or savoury dish in any of the ways that cooked beans are used, they can also be roasted or ground into a powder. If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids and the seed should be thoroughly leached before being cooked[2, 105]. Root - raw or cooked[256, 257]. Peeled and then eaten raw or boiled[257]. The roots are harvested in the spring and are then roasted before being eaten[256]. The roasted root can be dried, ground into a flour and then stored for later use. The raw root should not be eaten since they contain toxic alkaloids and will cause a drunken-like state if eaten in excess, but the cooked root is safe to eat[256, 257]. Seedpods - cooked[105].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Ornamental. Nitrogen fixer. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil in a sunny position[200]. This species is very susceptible to slug damage, the plant has been cultivated as an ornamental, but has virtually died out in the garden though it grows well in the wild in Scotland[187]. Closely related to L. perennis[200] and possibly no more than a sub-species of it[50], the uses listed below are for L. perennis but it is assumed that they also apply to this species[K]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. It should also be possible to sow the seed outdoors in situ in the middle of spring. It might be necessary to protect this sowing from mice. Division in early March[1]. Difficult. Basal cuttings in April[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lupinus albus	White Lupin	Annual	1.2	0-0		LM	N	M	4	1	4
Lupinus albus graecus		Annual	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	DM	4	0	3
Lupinus angustifolius	Blue Lupin, Narrowleaf lupine	Annual	1.0	7-9		LM	N	M	4	0	4
Lupinus arboreus	Tree Lupin, Yellow bush lupine	Shrub	1.5	7-10	F	LM	N	DM	0	0	5
Lupinus hirsutus		Annual	0.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	3
Lupinus littoralis	Seashore Lupine	Perennial	0.5	6-9		LMH	N	M	2	0	3
Lupinus luteus	Yellow Lupin, European yellow lupine	Annual	0.6	5-9		LM	N	M	3	0	3
Lupinus mutabilis	Pearl Lupin, Tarwi	Annual	1.5	8-11		LMH	N	M	5	0	4
Lupinus perennis	Sundial Lupine	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LM	N	DM	3	1	3
Lupinus polyphyllus	Big-Leaf Lupin, Lupine	Perennial	1.5	5-9	M	LMH	N	M	1	1	4
Lupinus tauris		Shrub	0.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	0	0	3
Lupinus termis	White Lupin	Annual	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Lupinus nootkatensis - Donn. ex Sims.