Lupin
Lupinus arboreus
Lupinus nootkatensis
Lupinus polyphyllus
Lupinus x regalis
Lupinus texensis
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Lupin, often spelled
lupine in the
US, is the common name for members of the
genus Lupinus in the
Fabaceae family of flowering plants.
ITIS recognises over 150
species of lupin, and there are also numerous
hybrids and
cultivars. Some species, such as the
Garden Lupin (
Lupinus polyphyllus) and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (
Lupinus x regalis) are common
garden flowers. Others, like the
Bush lupin L. arboreus are considered
invasive weeds when they appear outside their native range. Sweet lupins are used as human and animal food.
Lupins have a characteristic and easily recognised leaf shape, with soft green leaves divided into five to sixteen small, finger-like leaflets that diverge from a central point. They have a long central tap root.
The
Texas Bluebonnet (
Lupinus texensis) and other similar species are the State flower of
Texas,
USA.
The Nootka Lupin (
Lupinus nootkatensis) 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.
Lupin is also a name of some fictional characters, for instance Arsène Lupin, created by Maurice Leblanc; Lupin the 3rd, a Japanese animation spinoff from the Leblanc character; and Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
