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Lupin, often spelled lupine in North America, is the common name for members of the genus Lupinus in the family Fabaceae. The genus comprises between 150-200 species, and has a wide distribution in the Mediterranean region - Subgen. Lupinus, and the Americas - Subgen. Platycarpos (Wats.) Kurl.[1].

Lupin leaves from belowThe species are mostly herbaceous perennial plants 0.3-1.5 m tall, but some are annual plants and a few are shrubs up to 3 m tall. They have a characteristic and easily recognised leaf shape, with soft green to grey-green or silvery leaves divided into 5–17 finger-like leaflets that diverge from a central point; in many species, the leaves are hairy with silvery hairs, often densely so. The flowers are produced in dense or open whorls on an erect spike, each flower 1-2 cm long, with a typical peaflower shape with an upper 'standard', two lateral 'wings' and two lower petals fused as a 'keel'. The fruit is a pod containing several seeds.

Like most members of this family, lupins can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, fertilizing the soil for other plants (see legume). The genus Lupinus is nodulated by the soil microorganism Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus). Some species have a long central tap root.

Contents [hide] 1 Cultivation and uses 2 Lupins as an introduced pest 3 Lupins in popular culture 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Cultivation and uses Lupins are popular ornamental plants in gardens. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars. Some species, such as Lupinus polyphyllus and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (Lupinus × 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.

Lupins are also cultivated as forage and grain legumes. Three Mediterranean species of lupin, Lupinus angustifolius (Blue Lupin), Lupinus albus (White Lupin) and Lupinus luteus (Yellow Lupin) are cultivated for livestock and poultry feed and for human consumption. The Andean Lupin Lupinus mutabilis and the Mediterranean L. albus, L. angustifolius[1] and L. hirsutus[2](these varieties are known locally as altramuz in Spain and Argentina) are also edible after soaking the seeds for some days in salted water [3]. These lupins are referred to as sweet lupins because they contain smaller amounts of toxic alkaloids than the bitter varieties. Both sweet and bitter lupins in feed can cause livestock poisoning. Lupin poisoning is a nervous syndrome caused by alkaloids in bitter lupins, similar to Neurolathyrism. Mycotoxic lupinosis is a disease caused by lupin material that is infected with the fungus Diaporthe toxica; the fungus produces mycotoxins called phomopsins, which cause liver damage. The worst damage to lupin is caused by anthracnose, fusarium wilt, fusarium and other root rot, bacteria and viruses.

Lupinus nootkatensis (Nootka Lupin) is common on the west coast of North America, and is one of the species from which the garden hybrids are derived, being valued in Britain for its tolerance of cool, wet summers.

The Kincaid's Lupin (Lupinus sulphureus subsp. kincaidii) is native to the Willamette Valley of Oregon as well as parts of Washington. It is a threatened species.

Lupinus tidestromii (Tidestrom's Lupin) is a rare and endangered species inhabiting areas around the northern coast of California, for example in the Monterey area.

A field of lupin growing in an abandoned logging road in northern Maine.Lupinus perennis (Sundial Lupin) is an eastern North American native that generally grows in sandy areas with acidic soil and copious sunlight. It is the sole oviposition site and larval food source for the endangered Karner Blue and Frosted Elfin butterflies. Other Lepidoptera species whose larvae feed on lupins include Schinia suetus (which feeds exclusively on Lupinus spp), Chionodes braunella, Phymatopus behrensii, Dot Moth and The Streak (the latter recorded on L. arboreus).

Lupin milk is a milk substitute made from the lupin family of plant [citation needed].

[edit] Lupins as an introduced pest In New Zealand lupins have escaped to the wild and grow in large numbers along main roads and streams in the South Island. The seeds are carried by car tyres and water flow, and unfortunately, some tourist shops in the major tourist areas have been reported to have sold packets of lupin seeds to tourists, with the instructions to disperse at will whilst driving down the road. They are principally blue, pink and violet, with some yellow, and are very attractive, providing colourful vistas with a backdrop of mountains and lakes. The New Zealand environment authorities have a campaign to reduce their numbers, although this seems a hopeless task, especially when faced with such ignorance as mentioned above. In fields they seem to be eradicated by sheep, and hence remain largely restricted to ungrazed roadside verges and stream banks.

Lupins by the road at Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand. [edit] Lupins in popular culture The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis and other similar species) is the state flower of Texas, USA. A Monty Python sketch featured a would-be Robin Hood named Dennis Moore, who stole lupins from the rich and gave them to the poor. Although he was very successful, the poor argued that money or food would be more practical. The lupin has also lent its name to Arsène Lupin, the main character in a series of stories by Maurice Leblanc (the name is a parody of Edgar Allan Poe's C. Auguste Dupin). He was a gentleman thief who first appeared in 1905. The popular Japanese comic book/Anime character Lupin III is an unofficial spin-off of this series. In the British adventure series The Avengers, in the episode "Who's Who" from 1967 it is revealed the British Secret Service code names their agents by flowers worn on the lapel (ie; tulip, daffodill, rose). Though he is only seen dead, one is clearly wearing a lupin.