Pearl Lupin (Lupinus mutabilis)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Lupinus mutabilis is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich vegetable or savoury dish in any of the ways that cooked beans are used. — Used as a protein-rich vegetable or savoury dish in any of the ways that cooked beans are used.; The seed can also be ground into a meal and then used with cereal flours in making bread etc.; The seed contains up to 50% protein that is rich in lysine and cystine but very low in methionine.; If the seed is bitter this is due to the presence of toxic alkaloids, these alkaloids can usually be removed by soaking the seed overnight and discarding the water.

Habitat & North American Range

Found in the Andes. (Zone 8)