Tarwi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Andean lupine
• South American lupin
• pearl lupin
• pearl lupine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lupinus mutabilis f. cruckshanksii
• Lupinus cruckshanksii
• Lupinus mutabilis var. roseus
• Lupinus mutabilis f. variicolor
• Lupinus mutabilis var. cruckshanksii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Lupinus mutabilis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is further categorized into the genus Lupinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climate zones. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Ethiopia. Its presence extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically located in Tanzania. Moving toward the Southeast Asian regions, the species is distributed throughout Malesia in Jawa and across Papuasia in New Guinea. Finally, its range reaches into Northern South America, where it is documented in Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lupinus mutabilis is characterized by its specific adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in mountainous regions, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1700 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal belt, the plant interacts with specific microclimates shaped by varying levels of solar radiation, temperature fluctuations, and soil compositions typical of high-elevation ecosystems. Its ability to persist across this 1300-meter gradient suggests a robust physiological capacity to handle the environmental stressors inherent to Andean-type highlands, including thinner atmospheres and potentially variable moisture availability.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lupinus mutabilis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. The process begins when seeds germinate in well-drained, nitrogen-rich soils, leading to the rapid development of a taproot system and a rosette of leaves. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative growth phase, eventually transitioning into a reproductive stage where it produces upright stalks bearing dense, colorful inflorescences. Following successful pollination, the plant focuses its energy on developing seed pods. Once the seeds have reached physiological maturity, the plant undergoes senescence and dies, leaving behind seeds that remain dormant in the soil to await favorable conditions for the next generation, thereby ensuring the continuity of its species through a cyclical, single-year progression.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lupinus mutabilis is characterized by its growth form as a herb, specifically categorized as a forb, which typically reaches a mean plant height of 1.5 m. It is a terrestrial species, existing neither as an aquatic nor a semiaquatic plant, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant is non-climbing, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a vine, liana, or obligatory climber. In terms of its habit, it is strictly terrestrial and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Additionally, its woodiness is described as variable, reflecting its structural characteristics throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Lupinus mutabilis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism among most temperate legumes where carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle during the light-dependent reactions. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lupinus mutabilis is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate genetic exchange. This process is characterized by a specialized interaction with insects, specifically highlighting the importance of bees as primary pollinators. Through this bee-mediated mechanism, pollen is transferred between flowers, ensuring successful fertilization and the subsequent development of seeds.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lupinus mutabilis has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, methionine, (+)-Lupanine, (-)-Sparteine, 17-Oxolupanine.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of food science

methionine

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
2. The Journal of nutrition

(+)-Lupanine

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Sparteine

1. Dr. Duke

17-Oxolupanine

1. Journal of environmental pathology and toxicology

ANAGYRINE

1. Journal of environmental pathology and toxicology

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CD

1. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

DL-METHIONINE

1. The Journal of nutrition

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Lupinus mutabilis has 163 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMeniere's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiRaynaud's

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations