Lupine

topic posted Fri, April 4, 2008 - 9:49 AM by  Steve
Has anyone found any uses of Lupine?
posted by:
Steve
Fresno
  • Re: Lupine

    Fri, April 4, 2008 - 9:51 AM
    I found this...
    Lupinus littoralis
    Common name: Seashore lupine Family: Leguminosae
    Author: Douglas. Botanical references: 60, 200
    Synonyms:
    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].
    Range: Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
    Habitat: Sandy seashores[256].
    Plants For A Future Rating (1-5): 2

    Other Common Names: From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
    Chinook Lupine [B], Seashore Lupine [P],
    Epithets: From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
    littoralis = of the sea shore; littoral;
    Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
    Canada(Kwakiutl)
    Plant Passport required for Trade in UK/EU From DEFRA Plant passporting.
    Plant Passport Required for commercial growers in the UK/Europe.
    Physical Characteristics

    Perennial growing to 0.45m by 0.5m . It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.

    The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
    Habitats and Possible Locations
    Cultivated Beds.
    Edible Uses
    Root.

    Root - raw or cooked[257]. The root can be dried and roasted[2, 44, 61, 161]. A sweet flavour, almost like sugar[256]. The tough and fibrous roots are rich in starch[2]. The root is roasted and then pounded to loosen the edible fibres from the stem[118]. The roasted, dried and powdered root can be stored for winter use[256]. The roots can be up to 1 metre long[256]. Lupine roots are best not eaten raw since they contain alkaloids that could be poisonous - North American Indians would fall into a drunken sleep if they ate them raw, though they are perfectly safe when cooked[256].
    Medicinal Uses
    Disclaimer

    None known
    Other Uses
    Green manure.

    A good green manure plant for poor soils[61]. It is quite fast growing and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
  • Re: Lupine

    Fri, April 4, 2008 - 10:12 AM
    according to calflora.org we have this species too!
    Lupinus angustifolius
    Common name: Blue lupin Family: Leguminosae
    Author: L. Botanical references: 50, 200
    Synonyms:
    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].
    Range: Europe - Mediterranean.
    Habitat: Cultivated and rocky ground on light acid soils45, 50].
    Plants For A Future Rating (1-5): 4

    Other Possible Synonyms: From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
    L. linifolius[G] L. reticulatus[G] L. varius[G]
    Other Common Names: From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
    Blauwe Lupine [D], Narrow-leaf Lupine [B], Narrowleaf Lupine [P], Thermos Hemeros [E],
    Epithets: From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
    angustifolius = narrow leaved;
    Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
    Europe
    Plant Passport required for Trade in UK/EU From DEFRA Plant passporting.
    Plant Passport Required for commercial growers in the UK/Europe.
    Physical Characteristics

    Annual growing to 1m by 0.25m . . It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 4 out of 5 for usefulness.

    The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
    Habitats and Possible Locations
    Cultivated Beds.

    Cultivar 'Uniwhite': Cultivated Beds.
    Edible Uses
    Seed.

    Seed - cooked[177]. 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. If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids and the seed should be thoroughly leached before being cooked. The seeds of low-alkaloid varieties is used in making 'tempeh'[183]. The seed is rich in protein, though it is deficient in the amino-acid methionine[240]. The protein has a high digestibility (90%) and biological value(53%)[240].
    Medicinal Uses
    Disclaimer

    None known
    Other Uses
    Green manure.

    A good green manure plant, it produces a good bulk of organic matter and fixes atmospheric nitrogen[200]. It also makes phosphorus in the soil more available to other plants[201].
    Cultivation details
    An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately good soil[1]. Requires a sunny position[200]. Prefers a light acid soil[50] but tolerates adverse conditions. Dislikes limey soils[50].

    Sometimes cultivated for its edible seeds, there are some named varieties that are low in the bitter toxic alkaloids. 'Uniwhite' is a low-alkaloid variety with a permeable seed coat. It has reduced pod-shattering[183] and so is easier to harvest mechanically.

    The blue lupin is a good companion plant for most vegetables[201].

    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.
    • Re: Lupine

      Tue, April 8, 2008 - 12:41 PM
      interesting! lupine tempeh... if you find a recipe please post it... though it sounds like you want to have the specific low-alkaloid type and not just the foraged wild stuff? also the drunken stupor from the raw roots is interesting- wondering if one gets high or just sick? i am over my super-experimentation phase, but had i heard about this 10 years ago, i just might have tried it. any experiences?

      of course a super cover crop...

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