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Lupinus perennis - L.

Common Name Sundial Lupine
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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 Grassy places in dry sandy soils[187].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine and Ontario, west to Minnesota and south to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lupinus perennis Sundial Lupine


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Theendofforever
Lupinus perennis Sundial Lupine

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lupinus perennis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to July. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: 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. The seed has a bitter flavour due to the presence of toxic alkaloids, it should be thoroughly leached before being cooked[2, 105]. 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.
Antiemetic  Haemostatic

A cold tea made from the leaves has been used to treat nausea and internal haemorrhages[222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Nitrogen fixer. A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil in a sunny position[200]. Grows well in a poor sandy soil[187]. Requires an acid to neutral soil[200]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. This species is very susceptible to slug damage. 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]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 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 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 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.

 

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Author

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

Steve Sutter   Thu Feb 1 2007

If permitted, this plant thrives in northern Maine (hardiness zone 3b). Appears in unmowed pastures of abandoned farms. pH 5.5 to 6. Organic matter 6 to 7%. Caribou gravelly loam, annual rainfall 34 inches. Obviously, this wild plant can be grown organically. Interesting you mention potential mice damage. A red fox and occasional hawk patrol my 4-acre field regularly.

Roy Hugie   Fri Oct 23 2009

This plant was introduced in a western U.S. national park and now they would like to eradicate it. I need some advice on how to eradicate Sun Dial Lupine

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