Blue Lupin, Narrowleaf lupine
Lupinus angustifolius
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Lupinus angustifolius is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Cultivated and rocky ground on light acid soils .
Europe - Mediterranean.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Seed - cooked. 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'. The seed is rich in protein, though it is deficient in the amino-acid methionine. The protein has a high digestibility (90%) and biological value(53%).
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
A good green manure plant, it produces a good bulk of organic matter and fixes atmospheric nitrogen. It also makes phosphorus in the soil more available to other plants.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately good soil. Requires a sunny position. Prefers a light acid soil but tolerates adverse conditions. Dislikes limey soils. 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 and so is easier to harvest mechanically. The blue lupin is a good companion plant for most vegetables. 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. 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.
Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in situ. You may need to protect the seed from mice. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. The seed can also be sown in situ as late as early summer as a green manure crop.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 7-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The seed of many lupin species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome. 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.