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Lupinus angustifolius - L.

Common Name Blue Lupin, Narrowleaf lupine
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 7-9
Known Hazards The seed of many lupin species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome[65, 76]. Taste is a very clear indicator. These toxic alkaloids can be leeched out of the seed by soaking it overnight and discarding the soak water. It may also be necessary to change the water once during cooking. Fungal toxins also readily invade the crushed seed and can cause chronic illness[65].
Habitats Cultivated and rocky ground on light acid soils [45, 50].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lupinus angustifolius Blue Lupin,  Narrowleaf lupine


http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Jeantosti
Lupinus angustifolius Blue Lupin,  Narrowleaf lupine
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JoachimHolmer

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lupinus angustifolius is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[177]. 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. The seeds of low-alkaloid varieties is used in making 'tempeh'[183]. The seed is rich in protein, though it is deficient in the amino-acid methionine[240]. The protein has a high digestibility (90%) and biological value(53%)[240].

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

Green manure

A good green manure plant, it produces a good bulk of organic matter and fixes atmospheric nitrogen[200]. It also makes phosphorus in the soil more available to other plants[201].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately good soil[1]. Requires a sunny position[200]. Prefers a light acid soil[50] but tolerates adverse conditions. Dislikes limey soils[50]. Sometimes cultivated for its edible seeds, there are some named varieties that are low in the bitter toxic alkaloids. 'Uniwhite' is a low-alkaloid variety with a permeable seed coat. It has reduced pod-shattering[183] and so is easier to harvest mechanically. The blue lupin is a good companion plant for most vegetables[201]. 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]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in situ[1, 200]. You may need to protect the seed from mice. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. The seed can also be sown in situ as late as early summer as a green manure crop.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria (west), Turkey EUROPE: Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain, France (s. & Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lupinus albusWhite LupinAnnual1.2 0-0  LMNM414
Lupinus albus graecus Annual1.0 0-0  LMHNDM403
Lupinus arboreusTree Lupin, Yellow bush lupineShrub1.5 7-10 FLMNDM005
Lupinus hirsutus Annual0.0 0-0  LMHNM203
Lupinus littoralisSeashore LupinePerennial0.5 6-9  LMHNM203
Lupinus luteusYellow Lupin, European yellow lupineAnnual0.6 5-9  LMNM303
Lupinus mutabilisPearl Lupin, TarwiAnnual1.5 8-11  LMHNM504
Lupinus nootkatensisBlue Lupine, Nootka lupinePerennial0.7 4-8  LMHNM303
Lupinus perennisSundial LupinePerennial0.6 4-8  LMNDM313
Lupinus polyphyllusBig-Leaf Lupin, LupinePerennial1.5 5-9 MLMHNM114
Lupinus tauris Shrub0.0 0-0  LMNDM003
Lupinus termisWhite LupinAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHNM203

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Boguslav Kurlovich   Tue Aug 1 2006

Lupins Geography, classification, genetic resources and breeding

Kurlovich, B.S.   Fri Aug 4 2006

Intraspecific Diversity of Lupins Lupinus angustifolius L. (Narrow-leafed lupin)

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