Lupin

From Free net encyclopedia

(Redirected from Lupinus)

For other uses, see Lupin (disambiguation).

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Lupin | image = bluebonnet1.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Fabales | familia = Fabaceae | subfamilia = Faboideae | tribus = Cytiseae | genus = Lupinus | genus_authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = over 150 recognised species, including:
Lupinus albus
Lupinus angustifolius
Lupinus arboreus
Lupinus luteus
Lupinus mutabilis
Lupinus nootkatensis
Lupinus polyphyllus
Lupinus x regalis
Lupinus texensis
Lupinus tidestromii greene }}

Lupin, often spelled lupine in the U.S., is the common name for members of the genus Lupinus in the family Fabaceae. Like most members of this family, lupins can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, fertilizing the soil for other plants (see legume).

Image:Lupinenblaetter.jpg Lupins have a characteristic and easily recognised leaf shape, with soft green leaves divided into 5–16 finger-like leaflets that diverge from a central point. They have a long central tap root.

ITIS recognises over 150 species of lupin, and there are also numerous hybrids and cultivars. Some species, such as the Garden Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (Lupinus x regalis) are common garden flowers. Others, such as the 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 species of Mediterranean 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, is also edible. 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. Mycotoxic lupinosis is a disease caused by sweet-lupin material that is infected with the fungus Phomopsis leptostromiformis; the fungus produces mycotoxins called phomopsins, which cause liver damage.

The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) and other similar species are the state flower of Texas, USA.

The Nootka Lupin (Lupinus nootkatensis) 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.

The Tidestrom Lupin is a rare and endangered species inhabiting areas around the northern coast of California, for example in the Monterey area.

The Sundial Lupin (Lupinus perennis) 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 the Dot Moth, Phymatopus behrensii, and The Streak (the latter recorded on Bush Lupin.

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Lupins in popular culture

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 Allen Poe's Auguste Dupin). He was a gentleman thief who first appeared in 1905. The popular Japanese comic book character Lupin III is an unofficial spin-off of this series.

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