Permaculture Plants: Lupine

The beauty of Lupines are not just in their flowers.

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/lupinus_sp.jpg

Common Name: Lupine

Scientific Name: Lupinus species

Family: Fabaceae (the Legume or Pea family)

Edible Lupine seeds being developed in South America.http://www.mosojcausay.org/in/im/Noticia/feria002.jpg

Description:

Lupines are beautiful wildflowers found almost around the globe. Known primarily for their showy spikes of flowers in blues, purples, reds, yellows, and white, these legumes put nitrogen back into the soil (natural fertilizer), host a number of beneficial insects, can act as a groundcover to protect top soil, and some species even produce edible seeds. A brilliant addition to the home and Forest Garden.

European Yellow Lupine (Lupinus luteus)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Illustration_Lupinus_luteus1.jpg/636px-Illustration_Lupinus_luteus1.jpg

History:

Found almost all over the world, there are likely native or at least naturalized Lupines close to where you live. They have been used as food plants likely for thousands of years. The Romans were fond of the seeds, but have been used by most Mediterranean cultures. The South and North American species were also used by natives there as well. More recently, there has been a growing trend to use Lupines as a cash crop alternative to soy, livestock forage and feed crop, as well as developing a wide variety of ornamental flowering varieties.

Trivia:

• Edible species include Wild or Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perrenis), Seashore Lupine (Lupinus littoralis),  Blue Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), another Blue Lupine (Lupinus augustifolius), and White Lupine (Lupinus albus), but the best is likely the Pearl Lupine (Lupinus mutabilis).
• There are larger species in the Lupine genus... the most common large species being the Tree Lupine or Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus) that grows to over 6 feet (2 meters) tall.
• Lupines are an important larval food for many butterflies and moths.

Lupines come in a wide variety of colors.

http://www.mest.kr/imgdata/mest_kr/200912/2009122004037665.jpg

USING THIS PLANT

Primary Uses:

• Ornamental flowering plant (wildflower)
• Edible seeds in some species - used as cooked bean substitute, can be roasted then ground into a powder (NOTE: seeds contain a bitter toxin that can easily be leached out by soaking the seeds in water overnight, and up to 3 days) and discarding the soaking water. 
• Some species produce an edible oil from the pressed seeds

Secondary Uses:

• Nitrogen fixing plant (puts nitrogen back into the soil) - inoculated with leguminous bacteria.
• General insect (especially bees) nectar plant
• Provides shelter for parasatoid wasps (beneficial wasps that prey on plant pests)
• Lacewings (beneficial insects) prefer to lay eggs on this plant
• Dynamic Accumulator (Phosphorus, Nitrogen)
• Groundcover - space plants about 1 foot (30 centimeters) apart

Yield: Not applicable

Harvesting: Not applicable

Storage: Not applicable

Many beneficial insects are attracted to Lupines.

http://stevewolf.smugmug.com/Nature/Wildlife/Bee2/506004284_2iHZn-L-2.jpg

DESIGNING WITH THIS PLANT

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9

AHS Heat Zone: No reliable information available

Chill Requirement: No reliable information available

Plant Type: Small to Medium-sized, Clumping Herbaceous Perennial

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Forest Garden Use: Herbaceous Layer or Groundcover Layer (depending on the species) 

Cultivars/Varieties: Many varieties available.

Pollination: Self-Pollinating/Self-Fertile - pollinated by bees

Flowering: May-July depending on the variety and USDA Zone where it is planted

Life Span: No reliable information available, but if conditions are fair to good, Lupines will self-reseed.

Harvesting Lupine flowers in Detroit - 1938

http://173.12.230.45/yan523.jpg

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS PLANT

Size: 1-4 feet (30-120 centimeters) tall and 1-3 feet (30-90 centimeters) wide

Roots: Fibrous network of roots

Growth Rate: Medium - Fast

Amazing photo of a field of wild Lupines near a church.

http://www.photoend.com/data/media/46/Wild%20Lupine%20and%20Church,%20Near%20Hellissandur,%20Snaefellsnes%20Peninsula,%20Iceland.jpg

Close-up of Lupine leaves - natural water catchers!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F07iqvPbMZY/S8aKYL7uOQI/AAAAAAAAHt0/Pq7QOYbN0y4/s1600/raindrops+on+lupine.jpg

GROWING CONDITIONS FOR THIS PLANT

Light: Prefers full sun

Shade: Tolerates light shade

Moisture: Dry to Medium soils

pH: most species prefer acidic to near neutral soil (3.5 - 6.5)

Propagation: By seed (needs scarification) or by Spring cuttings of soft, basal growth. Division is reported to be difficult.

Maintenance: None

Concerns: Poisonous – There are many varieties of lupines that have toxic seeds, and the seeds can become contaminated with a fungus that produces toxins as well. If you are going to eat the seeds, really know what you are doing.

Agama Spotting... and other Turkish animals.

The Starred Agama (a.k.a. Stellion or Star Lizard), Laudakia stellio.

http://www.american-buddha.com/photo.speybroeck.85.jpg

This morning, my family was taking a walk to the park. My two boys were on their big-wheel-type bikes. Isaac, now four years old, was at the front of our procession when he suddenly skidded to a stop. He froze with one arm pointing to a tree a few feet from the sidewalk we were walking, reminding me of a bird dog who had spotted a hidden pheasant.

For a second or two we tried to figure out at what it was he was pointing, but we were obviously too slow in identifying it. Isaac hopped off the bike and ran to the base of the tree, running with his arm fully extended and finger still pointing. This sudden direct charge on its hiding place was too much for the well camouflaged, foot-long lizard.

I can't help but wonder what that lizard was thinking... There I was, sitting in the sun, soaking up the heat, relaxing all morning. It was a great spot. I was blending in perfectly with the roots at the bottom of my favorite tree. I had seen dozens of those gangly, two-legged animals walk right past me. They make so much noise all the time. But as long as I don't move, they keep right on going. Then, out of the blue, one of them stops and stares right at me. He's one of the small ones. They usually aren't that smart. Is he looking at me? Did I lose my camouflage? No. He can't see me. I just have to stay still. Hold my breath. He'll keep on going any second now... Oh, crap! He's running right at me... don't move... don't breathe... ahHH! Forget this! I'm outta here!

These guys can scale a tree in seconds!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Laudakia_stellio_002.jpg

The lizard, whose proper name is the Speckled Agama, bolted up the tree. Only, poor thing, it climbed a tree that had a sparrow's nest in it. The male sparrow started to dive bomb it. It hopped from limb to limb dodging the bird until we started to walk away. Then it quickly scurried back down the tree and then hid in a pile of rocks. I am sure it was hyperventilating, saying a prayer of thanks for not getting eaten by that scary animal that charged him out of the blue.

Not a minute later and Isaac spotted another Agama. The scene replayed itself, only without the sparrow attack. After a few minutes of watching the lizard climb in the tree above, we moved on. Now I have studied animals for a long time. I understand their behavior. There are obviously many people who are better than I, but after years of trying to spot and observe wildlife, I can humbly say that I am really good at it. But I think my skill is a learned craft. It is pretty amazing to see a four year old come at it with such ease. It is going to be fun to see how this develops.

Long-Eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jhW52aMy8UU/TQbKAfyyiRI/AAAAAAAAB5o/B5dGWAevcG8/s1600/turkish_living.1269379097.long-eared-hedgehog.png

This just reminded me of how living in Turkey has allowed us to experience a completely new range of flora and fauna. Whether it is the scorpions on my running path, the hedgehogs digging holes in the yard at night, the hooded crows sitting on the fence waiting for my boys to drop some food, or the Hoopoe I wrote about a short while ago, it has been a lot of fun to see the amazing diversity of God's creation.

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/imagecache/photo_940/pictures/Crow-0326.jpg

Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica)

Well, we actually only found a few quills on one of our hikes.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3042/2653583753_06dc0a915d_z.jpg

Another Source for Seeds: American Meadows

American Meadows

http://www.americanmeadows.com/

This is a good source for a variety of seeds, but it is a great source for wildflower seeds.  They sell seed mixes that are customized to the region of the U.S. that you live.  Prices for shipping are good.  

Wildflower Meadow

http://www.wildaboutgardens.org/img/habitats/wildflower-meadow/large/wildflower-meadow.jpg

If possible, I think everyone should sow a patch of wildflowers.  I would consider it part of my Zone 4 (see my post on Zones).  Not only is it beautiful, but it provides a source of nectar for beneficial insects and generally increases biodiversity.

Wildflowers in Temblor Range, California

http://www.patmoss.com/funpics/wildflowers.htm

A small Wildflower Patch... easy!

http://www.chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/fall2008/images/itw_tips_wildflower.jpg

Look into it creating your own!