Blue lupine, narrow-leaved lupin; L. augustifolius L.
Yellow lupine; L. luteus L.
White lupine, Lupini; L. albus L.
Sweet lupin, Snowbean; L. albus "saccharatus"
Source: Magness et al. 1971
Several hundred species of Lupinus are known, mostly native to
America. Many are grown in gardens as ornamentals. The species important
agriculturally, however, are winter annuals introduced from Europe, as listed
above. They are not winter-hardy and are grown mainly as green manure crops for
turning under for soil improvement in the Southeastern States.
The use of lupines for feed is limited since they contain a poisonous alkaloid. Kinds lacking or low in this alkaloid (termed "sweet" lupines) are now available, so use as pasture is increasing. The plants are bushy unless in dense stands, with coarse stems up to 3 or more feet high. Leaves are palmate with 6 to 8 leaflets. Seeding is in the fall and growth is heavy during early spring.
