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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Lupin
| image = Mainelupin.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Wild Perennial Lupin (''Lupinus perennis'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Luppineae]]
| genus = '''''Lupinus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subgenus = '''''Lupinus''''' and '''''Platycarpos''''' [http://koti.mbnet.fi/bkurl/Classific.htm (Wats.) Kurl.]| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
150-200 species, including:<br/>
''[[Lupinus albus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus angustifolius]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus luteus]]''<br/>

''[[Lupinus albifrons]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus arboreus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus arizonicus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus bicolor]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus chamissonis]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus diffusus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus excubitus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus formosus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus longifolius]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus microcarpus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus mutabilis]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus nanus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus nootkatensis]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus perennis]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus polyphyllus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus sparsiflorus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus sulphureus]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus texensis]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus tidestromii]]''<br/>
''[[Lupinus variicolor]]''<br/>
}}

'''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]] - [[Subgenus|Subgen.]] '''''Lupinus''''' , and the [[Americas]] - Subgen. '''''Platycarpos '''''(Wats.) Kurl.[http://koti.mbnet.fi/bkurl/Classific.htm ].

[[Image:Lupinenblaetter.jpg|left|thumb|Lupin leaves from below]]
The species are mostly [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s 0.3-1.5 [[meter|m]] tall, but some are [[annual plant]]s and a few are [[shrub]]s 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 [[flower]]s are produced in dense or open whorls on an erect spike, each flower 1-2 [[centimeter|cm]] long, with a typical [[pea]]flower shape with an upper 'standard', two lateral 'wings' and two lower petals fused as a 'keel'. The [[fruit]] is a [[legume|pod]] containing several [[seed]]s.

Like most members of this family, lupins can [[Nitrogen fixation|fix nitrogen]] from the atmosphere into [[ammonia]], fertilizing the [[soil]] for other plants (see [[legume]]). The genus '''''Lupinus''''' is nodulated by the soil microorganism [http://lupins-bk.blogspot.com/2006/07/nitrogen-fixation.html Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus).]
Some species have a long central tap root.

===Cultivation and uses===
Lupins are popular [[ornamental plant]]s in [[garden]]s. There are numerous [[hybrid]]s and [[cultivar]]s. Some species, such as ''[[Lupinus polyphyllus]]'' and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (''Lupinus × regalis'') are common garden flowers. Others, such as the [[Lupinus arboreus|Yellow Bush Lupin]] ''L. arboreus'' are considered [[invasive species|invasive]] [[weed]]s when they appear outside their native range.

Lupins are also cultivated as [[legume|forage]] and [[legume|grain]] legumes. Three [[Mediterranean region|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''<ref>http://www.zonaverde.net/lupinusangustifolius.htm Lupinus angustifolius: Características y aplicaciones (in Spanish)</ref> and ''L. hirsutus''<ref>http://www.swsbm.com/Ephemera/Sturtevants_Edible_Plants.pdf HEDRICK, U. P. (ed.) (1919): ''Sturtevant's Edible
Plants of the World''. pp. 387-388. [http://www.famousamericans.net/edwardlewissturtevant|Edward Lewis Sturtevant] (1842-1898), farmer, botanist, physician and author, was one of the giants of his time in the science of agriculture.</ref>(these varieties are known locally as ''altramuz'' in [[Spain]] and [[Argentina]]) are also edible after soaking the seeds for some days in salted water <ref>http://www.historiacocina.com/historia/articulos/altramuces.htm Historia de los altramuces. Un humilde aperitivo (in Spanish)</ref>. These lupins are referred to as ''sweet lupins'' because they contain smaller amounts of toxic [[alkaloid]]s 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 [[Lathyrism|Neurolathyrism]]. Mycotoxic lupinosis is a disease caused by lupin material that is infected with the fungus ''[[Diaporthe toxica]]''; the fungus produces [[mycotoxin]]s called [[phomopsin]]s, which cause liver damage. The worst damage to lupin is caused by [http://lupins-bk.blogspot.com/2006/07/diseases-and-pests.html anthracnose, fusarium wilt, fusarium and other root rot, bacteria and viruses].

''[[Lupinus nootkatensis]]'' ([http://www.iceland-nh.net/plants/data/Lupinus-nootkatensis/lupinus_nootkatensis.html 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 Lupine|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, California|Monterey]] area.
[[Image:Lupinroad.jpg|right|thumb|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 [[larva]]e feed on lupins include ''[[Schinia|Schinia suetus]]'' (which feeds exclusively on ''Lupinus spp''), ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes braunella]]'', ''[[Phymatopus|Phymatopus behrensii]]'', [[Dot Moth]] and [[Streak (moth)|The Streak]] (the latter recorded on ''L. arboreus'').

''Lupin milk'' is a [[milk substitute]] made from the lupin family of plant {{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

== 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.[[Image:lupins_lake_tekapo.jpg|right|thumb|Lupins by the road at Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand.]]

== Lupins in popular culture ==
*The [[Bluebonnet|Texas Bluebonnet]] (''Lupinus texensis'' and other similar species) is the [[list of U.S. state flowers|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 [[Manga|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.

* In the 19th century British comic novel [[Diary of a Nobody]], Mr. Pooter's son is called Lupin.

* In the children's book 'Miss Rumphius' by Barbara Cooney, the title character plants lupins to make the world a more beautiful place.

* In the Harry Potter series, Remus Lupin is a one-time Professor at Hogwarts (Defense Against the Dark Arts) and werewolf. He is first introduced in 'Prisoner of Azkaban'. It is later revealed that he was also one of Harry's father's best friends, a co-creator of the Marauder's Map, and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

== References ==
<references/>4. Diaporthe toxica sp.nov., the cause of lupinosis in sheep. Williamson et al. 1994, Mycological Research 98 (12) 1364-1365

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Lupinus}}
*[http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/science/ps/sci/ibbio/ecology/notes/cycles/nitrogencycle.htm Nitrogen Cycle]
*[http://www.lupins.org Lupins Resource Website]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/lupine.html Alternative Field Crops Manual: Lupine]
*[http://lupins-bk.blogspot.com/ Lupins]

[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Flowers]]

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