White Lupin
Lupinus albus
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Lupinus albus is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is in flower from June to July, 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, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Disturbed ground on acid soils.
S. Europe to Asia.
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 and mixed with cereal flours in making bread etc. If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids and the seed should be thoroughly leached by soaking it and then discarding the soak water before cooking. Seeds contain 32 - 40% protein, 8 - 12% oil. 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.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The seeds, taken internally, are diuretic, emmenagogue, hypoglycaemic and vermifuge. When bruised and soaked in water they are used as a poultice on ulcers etc.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating: 4
The seed contains up to 12% oil. This is used in making soap. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making cloth etc. A cosmetic face-mask can be made from lupin flour, this is used to invigorate tired skin. A useful spring-sown green manure crop, especially on light soils. It is deep rooting, fairly fast growing, produces a good bulk and fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Dynamic accumulator.
Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
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.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil. It prefers a light acid soil but tolerates adverse conditions. Requires a sunny position. The white lupin is sometimes cultivated, especially in S. Europe, for its edible seed and also as a green manure crop. There are some named varieties, many of which have bitter seeds that contain toxic alkaloids and require leaching before they are eaten but some sweet varieties have also been developed. These sweet varieties are perfectly wholesome as food for humans and include the cultivar 'Kiev'. There is some confusion between this species and L. nanus. A deep rooting plant. 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.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
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.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
L. sativus. L. termis.