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Lupinus albus graecus - (Boiss.&Sprun.)Franco.&P.Silva.

Common Name
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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 Disturbed ground on acid soils[45, 50].
Range S. Europe - Greece.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lupinus albus graecus


Lupinus albus graecus

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lupinus albus graecus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). 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 and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. Albus. Boiss.&Spruner.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[105, 132]. 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 and mixed with cereal flours in making bread etc[105, 132]. If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids and the seed should be thoroughly leached by soaking the seed and discarding the soak water before cooking them[132]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[7]. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[7, 61, 105, 183].

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

Nitrogen fixer. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately good soil. Prefers a light acid soil but tolerates adverse conditions[87]. Requires a sunny position[200]. A form of L. albus with smaller seeds than the type. A deep rooting plant[87]. 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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 angustifoliusBlue Lupin, Narrowleaf lupineAnnual1.0 7-9  LMNM404
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

(Boiss.&Sprun.)Franco.&P.Silva.

Botanical References

50

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Boguslav Kurlovich   Tue Aug 1 2006

Lupins Geography, classification, genetic resources and breeding

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