Lupinus albus graecus
| Lupinus albus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Lupinus albus graecus
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in situ[1][2]. You may need to protect the seed from mice. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately good soil. Prefers a light acid soil but tolerates adverse conditions[3]. Requires a sunny position[2].
A form of L. albus with smaller seeds than the type.
A deep rooting plant[3].
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[2]. 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.
Range: S. Europe - Greece.
Habitat: Disturbed ground on acid soils[4][5].
Edibility: Seed - cooked[6][7]. 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[6][7]. If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids and the seed should be thoroughly leached by soaking the seed and discarding the soak water before cooking them[7].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[8].
The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[8][9][6][10].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seed of many lupin species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome[11][12]. Taste is a very clear indicator. These toxic alkaloids can be leeched out of the seed
Also Known As: L. Albus. Boiss.&Spruner.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Woodward, L and P Burge. Green Manures. Elm Farm Research Centre, 1982.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.