A Brief History of Lupines
Lupines, the beautiful wildflowers, are of the genus Lupinus and belong to the pea family or Fabacae. The name lupine or lupin is derived from the Latin word lupus which means wolf. They have got the name because both lupines and wolves are sheep killers. The lupine plant, like other grain legumes (beans, peas, lentils, etc.) fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and produces seed high in protein. Many have high levels of alkaloids (bitter tasting compounds) that make the seed unpalatable and sometimes toxic.
Over 2,000 years ago lupines were cultivated by the Egyptians and Incans and around the Mediterranean for food and to restore the nitrogen levels in the soil. About twelve native species of genus Lupinus L. are centered in the Mediterranean and North African parts of the Old World. In 1873, Watson orignially divided the genus Lupinus into three sections, Platycarpos, Lupinus and Lupinellus based on habitat and the number of ovules. Since then many others have subdived the strains even further producing New World varieties found in the Americas and across the world. Now about 600 species of the lupine currently exist. According to the USDA, they are naturalized in nearly all of North America, with many species native to the continent.
Over 2,000 years ago lupines were cultivated by the Egyptians and Incans and around the Mediterranean for food and to restore the nitrogen levels in the soil. About twelve native species of genus Lupinus L. are centered in the Mediterranean and North African parts of the Old World. In 1873, Watson orignially divided the genus Lupinus into three sections, Platycarpos, Lupinus and Lupinellus based on habitat and the number of ovules. Since then many others have subdived the strains even further producing New World varieties found in the Americas and across the world. Now about 600 species of the lupine currently exist. According to the USDA, they are naturalized in nearly all of North America, with many species native to the continent.
