White Lupins by Stephen Downes, on Flickr
Lupins are popular ornamental plants in gardens. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars. Some species, such as Garden Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (L. × regalis) are common garden flowers. Others, such as the Yellow Bush Lupin (L. arboreus) are considered invasive weeds when they appear outside their native range.
Although the escaped, ornamental Lupins are quite a nuisance in Norway (they’ve been black-listed because they take over where native roadside plants grow), there are Lupins which can be used for more than their looks.
Common name: White Lupin
Latin name: Lupinus albus
Synonyms: Lupine
Magic name: Blood from a head
Family: Leguminosae
The White Lupin is native of Southern Europe and Asia. It grows 1-2 feet high, and has leaves that are cut palmately into five or seven divisions. The leaves are 1 to 2 inches long, smooth above, and white, hairy, underneath. The flowers are in placed in terminal racemes, on short stalks, and are white and rather large. The upright flower spikes are typically surrounded by many pea-like blossoms which attract bees for pollination. The pod is 3 to 4 inches long, flattish, and contains three to six white, circular, flattened seeds.
It is in flower from Jun to July, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
Lupins are strongly and deeply taprooted, and the roots of yellow lupin can penetrate to a depth of 6 ft.
The plant is probably of Egyptian or East Mediterranean origin, and has been cultivated since the days of the ancient Egyptians.
There are both bitter and sweet forms of Lupins. The sweet kinds being found in North America while the bitter varieties are found in Mediterranean regions. The taste of the plants depends on the alkaloids contained in them.
Caution
Some individuals suffer an allergic reaction to lupin which can result in anaphylaxis. People with peanut allergy should generally avoid lupins.
Wild varieties of Lupins are poisonous in nature. Both sweet and bitter Lupins contain toxic alkaloids that cause Lupin Poisoning, a nervous condition. It is similar to Neurolathyrism, which is produced from the ingestion of seeds of Sweet Peas.
Lupins infected with fungus Diaporthe Toxica can also be very harmful. This fungus produces Phytotoxins known as Phomopsins and causes a disease known as Mycotoxic Lupinosis. This disorder damages the liver and can even lead to death. Poisonous seeds of Lupin cause death of many sheep and other cattle every year.
Blue Lupins are also highly damaging to animals, because it’s vulnerable to attacks from pests such as Nematodes. These unsegmented worms can cause damage to the internal organs of livestock.
Main constituents
The chemical make-up varies due to a number of factors.
Uses
Medical
The seeds, taken internally, are diuretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycaemic and vermifuge. When bruised and soaked in water they are used as a poultice on ulcers.
Culinary
The roasted seeds can be used as a snack in much the same way as peanuts.
An edible oil is obtained from the seed.
The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute.
Lupin foods are commercially manufactured in Europe, North America and Australia. Bitter large-seeded European white lupin is eaten (after de-bittering) as a snack in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Algeria and parts of Brazil. The beans are commonly sold in a salty solution in jars (like olives and pickles).
Lupins are also used as a Soy substitute.
Cosmetic
The seed contains up to 12% oil. This is used in making soap.
A cosmetic face-mask can be made from lupin flour, this is used to invigorate tired skin.
Some cosmetic companies use lupin ingredients in their skincare products.
Other
A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making cloth etc.
Lupins are widely used as a source of protein and energy for livestock.
Bitter lupins are typically used for green manuring alone, whereas alkaloid-free varieties are also used for forage and silage.
Blue and yellow lupins are mentioned as good honey plants.
It assimilates the free nitrogen of the air, and can be used for green manuring.
Lupine oil is edible oil extracted from Lupin seeds and used to manufacture technical as well as edible refined oil.
Cultivation
Lupins prefer light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. It does well in acid, neutral and alkaline soils, and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade and requires moist soil.
If grown from seed, Lupins do not often come true to type, but if propagated, they will remain true. Lupins cross readily, hence isolation for propagation is absolutely necessary.
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in situ. Remember to protect the seed from mice. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Harvest
Lupins should be harvested when weather is moderately cool, to reduce the likelihood of pod shattering. But make sure you know what you’re doing.
Fun Facts
John Parkinson said ‘Many women doe use the meale of Lupines mingled with the gall of a goate and some juyce of Lemons to make into a forme of a soft ointment.’ He also says that the burning of Lupin seeds drives away gnats.
Culpepper had the following to say:
‘The seeds, somewhat bitter in taste, opening and cleansing, good to destroy worms. Outwardly they are used against deformities of the skin, scabby ulcers, scald heads, and other cutaneous distempers.’
This Lupin was cultivated by the Romans as an article of food.
Pliny said:
‘No kind of fodder is more wholesome and light of digestion than the White Lupine, when eaten dry. If taken commonly at meals, it will contribute a fresh colour and a cheerful countenance.’
In 1917 a ‘Lupin’ banquet was given in Hamburg at a botanical gathering. At a table covered with a tablecloth of Lupin fibre, Lupin soup was served; after the soup came Lupin beefsteak, roasted in Lupin oil and seasoned with Lupin extract, then bread containing 20 per cent of Lupin, Lupin margarine and cheese of Lupin albumen, and finally Lupin liqueur and Lupin coffee. Lupin soap served for washing the hands, while Lupin-fibre paper and envelopes with Lupin adhesive were available for writing.
In the late 18th century Lupins came to Europe through the efforts of Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia. The plant was cultivated widely across the Baltic regions which provided the perfect breeding ground to the crop due to the sandy, acidic soil.
It is said that sweet varieties of Lupins were first produced in the early 20th century by breeders in Germany. Sweet Lupins became a popular part of European cuisines from this time. However, it is Australia that now ranks first among nations involved in sweet Lupins productions in the world.
Lupin dishes were popular in the heydays of the Roman Empire.
Members of native tribes in South and Native America used to soak Lupin beans in salt water before eating them.
The use of lupine-flour soap was mentioned in Arabian Nights, and the seeds of one species were once used for food in the Old World.
Lupine was used in the 17th century to treat nervous disorders and kidney problems. It was also used to treat hand and finger conditions.
The Navajo People used lupine to cure infertility, and they also believed it helped produce female children. They also made a remedy for boils from lupine seeds.
i have garden lupin in my garden
I don’t, and I’m actually happy I don’t. They’re really invasive here. They’re in almost every ditch, competing with native plants.