Gibto

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White Lupin
• European white lupin
• Mediterranean white lupin
• White lupine
• field lupin
• fig bean
• wolf bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Lupinus albus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it resides in the family Fabaceae under the genus Lupinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in both Germany and the area of Czechia-Slovakia. Its range extends further south into Southwestern Europe, specifically encompassing France. Additionally, the plant can be located on the island of Corse within that same southwestern region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lupinus albus is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Mediterranean-style climates, typically thriving in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils that are relatively low in organic matter. This species plays a significant role in soil nitrogen enrichment due to its symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, which allows it to colonize nutrient-poor environments. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the plant occupies a broad vertical gradient, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 700 m AMSL. It is commonly found in open habitats such as coastal dunes, grasslands, and disturbed agricultural lands, where it benefits from full solar exposure. Its ecological strategy involves managing moisture availability through deep taproots, enabling it to persist in regions with seasonal droughts.

Elevational range max:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lupinus albus is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functionally, it operates as a therophyte, a life form defined by the fact that the majority of its vegetative structure dies back at the end of the season, leaving only the seeds to persist through unfavorable conditions to ensure the next generation. This strategy is consistent with its designation as a therophyte in both botanical frameworks, emphasizing its reliance on ephemeral growth patterns to exploit seasonal resources. Through this rapid lifecycle, the plant focuses its energy on establishing a robust taproot and producing significant floral and seed displays before the onset of dormancy.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lupinus albus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This terrestrial species is an independent plant, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than a climber or vine, with a height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions; it typically reaches a minimum height of 0.2 m, maintains a mean height of approximately 0.92 m, and can reach a maximum height of up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.92 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lupinus albus is characterized by a highly efficient nutrient acquisition system and specific photosynthetic adaptations. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant engages in a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, supporting its vigorous growth. Its metabolic processes follow the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for temperate species. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its gas exchange and light interception, featuring an elliptic form with a mean leaf size of 104.5092 cm². Individual leaves exhibit dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, while the width varies between a minimum of 1.4 cm and a maximum of 1.8 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 265.8 cm²/g, reflecting its structural investment in leaf tissue relative to its biomass.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

104.5092 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.8 cm

Leaf width min:

1.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

265.8 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lupinus albus is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system. The flowering period typically begins in April and extends through August, featuring violet-colored flowers arranged in inflorescences that range from 0.05 m to 0.1 m in length. The pollination process is biotic, specifically driven by insects with a strong reliance on bees. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a pod, which measures between 6 cm and 13 cm in length and 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm in width. Each pod contains a relatively low number of seeds, typically ranging from 1 to 10 per fruit. The seeds themselves vary in mass, with a mean weight of approximately 0.3058 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.14 g to a maximum of 0.393 g. Seed dispersal is characterized by unspecialized methods, though it is also noted to be anthropochorous, meaning it is influenced by human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

13 cm

Fruit length min:

6 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width min:

1.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.393 g

Seed mass mean:

0.30580075 g

Seed mass min:

0.14 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lupinus albus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Plant molecular biology

Chemicals

Lupinus albus has 135 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methionine, lysine, FAT, asparagine, proline.

methionine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Reproduction, nutrition, development
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
4. International journal of food microbiology
5. Genetica

lysine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Reproduction, nutrition, development
3. International journal of food microbiology
4. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

FAT

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Nahrung
3. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

asparagine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

proline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Reproduction, nutrition, development
3. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

sucrose

1. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
2. Zentralblatt fur Bakteriologie, Parasitenkunde, Infektionskrankheiten und Hygiene. Zweite naturwissenschaftliche Abteilung: Mikrobiologie der Landwirtschaft der Technologie und des Umweltschutzes
3. International journal of food microbiology

2'-Hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Albumin

1. Planta
2. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

Ash

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Nahrung

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zeitschrift fur Ernahrungswissenschaft

Activities

Lupinus albus has 418 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Acaricide.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Lupinus albus has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, angioedema, blood glucose.

Aspergillus flavus

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Bacillus subtilis

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Candida albicans

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Angioedema

1. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology

Blood glucose

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

Cucumber mosaic virus

1. Plant physiology

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

Urticaria

1. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology

Preparations

Lupinus albus has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include additives to wheat flour, aqueous suspension, extract of L. albus seeds, flours, seeds.

Additives to wheat flour

1. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology

Aqueous suspension

1. Toxicology

Extract of l. albus seeds

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Flours

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

Seeds

1. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology