W112 

 LUPINES 



Lupi'nus spp. 



Lupines compose one of the largest, commonest, most widespread, 

 and characteristic genera of western plants, and are familiar to 

 most persons interested in the vegetation of their region. The 

 genus, which belongs to the woad waxen tribe (Genisteae') of the pea, 

 or legume, family, and is closely related to rattlebox (Crotalaria) , 

 broom (Cytisus), and gorse (UJex], is found throughout the world 

 but is probably best developed in the Western States, where numer- 

 ous species occur in each State. Lupines are characteristic of tem- 

 perate and warm climates, but two species occur in Alaska. The 

 species occupy a wide variety of sites, extending from the plains, 

 prairies, and foothills to the stream courses, canyons, brush areas, 

 grasslands, and meadows of the mountains. They are most con- 

 spicuous in full bloom and mass formation over large areas during 

 the spring and early summer. These plants have many com- 

 mon names, including blue-bean, bluebonnet, blue-pea, quakerbon- 

 nts, wild-alfalfa, wildbean, and wolf bean, although lupine (often 

 spelled and pronounced lupin) is, doubtless, the name in most popu- 

 lar use. The generic name Lupinus is the classic Latin word for 

 these plants and is evidently associated with the Latin word for wolf 

 (lupm) ; some say that lupines were so called because they were 

 thought to rob the soil of its fertility. 



Many lupines have the reputation of being poisonous, at. least so 

 far as the seed is concerned. Certain species are deadly to sheep and, 

 to a lesser degree, to cattle. Cases of horse poisoning from these 

 plants are infrequent. Further experimental work is required to 

 ascertain which, if any, species are harmless. Therefore the safest 

 procedure is to utilize lupine ranges only when other feed is abun- 

 dant, and especially when the lupines are not in fruit. 



The majority of reported cases of lupine poisoning have resulted 

 from eating the seeds and pods, although serious losses have occurred 

 when the young plants of certain species have been taken in quan- 

 tity. Unpublished researches by A. B. Clawson indicate that all 

 parts of some species are poisonous. The poisonous effects of many 

 lupines are influenced by wet weather. Heavy losses have resulted 

 when sheep grazed lupines after a rainstorm; fatalities also occur 

 when hungry sheep are unloaded from cars and all-owed to graze 

 lupine freely. In other cases sheep frequently graze over extensive 

 areas of these plants without injury. Comprehensive and accurate 

 information is needed concerning the poisonous properties of the 

 common species of lupine before definite management of lupine 

 ranges can be recommended. Cattle seldom eat lupines unless good 

 grass is scant, but horses often prefer them to other forage. Lupines 

 also furnish fairly good forage for elk. 



Typical lupine poisoning, at least in sheep, is characterized by 

 labored breathing, excitement, snoring, convulsions, and occasionally 

 frothing at the mouth. The animals run about in a frenzy and butt 



