How does lupine grow?
Lupine belongs to an important family of plants known as the pea family (Fabaceae or Leguminosae). Legumes are one of the three largest families of flowering plants and are found in nearly all parts of the world. Beans, peas, soybeans, and peanuts all provide legumes. The sweet peas you may grow in your garden also are legumes. On the roots of many legumes, including lupine, are nodules that house symbiotic bacteria. These bacteria contribute to healthy ecosystems by converting nitrogen from the atmosphere into forms plants can use. Scientists have discovered that, on the Fitzner/Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve, lupine in a flush of growth can nearly double the amount of nitrogen in local soils. This is important because many soils in our area lack sufficient nitrogen. There is one problem with lupine, though. It probably is not a good food choice for most animals as it is poisonous to livestock. Though all parts of the plant are harmful, the seeds are especially toxic. As little
