Bigleaf Lupine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• large-leaved lupine
• Garden Lupin
• Big-leaved lupine
• Large-leaf lupin
• Many-leaved lupine
• Russell lupin
• Washington lupin
• Bigleaf Lupine
• Blue-Pod Lupine
• Garden lupine
• Largeleaf lupine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it falls under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Lupinus, with its species designation being polyphyllus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Lupinus polyphyllus, exhibits a specific distribution across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. The species also extends its reach into the northern territories of Finland and Norway. Additionally, this medicinal plant is documented within the borders of Sweden. Finally, its presence is also noted across Great Britain, completing its northern European range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lupinus polyphyllus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a specific vertical gradient, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. While it is naturally adapted to various wild landscapes, it is also frequently found within human-managed environments, specifically documented in garden habitats. This adaptability allows the species to persist in diverse settings provided they fall within its preferred altitudinal niche.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

garden

Life history

The life history of Lupinus polyphyllus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, which provides a level of protection against environmental stressors. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lupinus polyphyllus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or epiphytic, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is self-supporting in its growth habit, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies. In terms of stature, it exhibits a variable plant height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average height of approximately 1.092 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.092 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lupinus polyphyllus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a specialized capacity for nitrogen fixation, which allows it to thrive in nutrient-poor soils. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on autotrophic nutrition supplemented by its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while leaf widths vary between 1 cm and 3 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 192.0025 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 231.92 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf density and resource allocation strategies during growth.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf size mean:

192.0025 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

231.92 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lupinus polyphyllus is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through August. This reproductive cycle relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome with a strong specialization toward bees. The plant is characterized by the absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which reaches an average length of 4 cm. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to facilitate seed dispersal. The dispersal syndrome is classified as autochorous, where the plant utilizes its own mechanisms to scatter seeds. The resulting seeds are relatively uniform in size, with a mean length of 2 mm (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 2 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.022145875 g, though individual seed mass can vary between 0.014725 g and 0.0283 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length mean:

4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0283 g

Seed mass mean:

0.022145875 g

Seed mass min:

0.014725 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lupinus polyphyllus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 17-Oxolupanine, ANAGYRINE, Lupanine, hyoscyamine.

17-Oxolupanine

1. Journal of environmental pathology and toxicology

ANAGYRINE

1. Journal of environmental pathology and toxicology

Lupanine

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

hyoscyamine

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology