Lupinus contains a large number of species. Several varieties are cultivated: Lupinus luteus, L. albus, L. hirsutus and L. angustifolius. A member of the plant family PAPILIONACEAE. Ornamental and fodder plants, with palmate composite leaves or leaflets. The deeply-lobed, colourful flowers are borne on a terminal raceme, the fruits developing into flattened downy pods, often constricted between the black seeds.

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Animals most affected
Horses, cattle, sheep, pigs.

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Etiology
Ingestion of fresh or dried plant material including the pods and seeds. Poisoning, termed lupinosis, is rare.

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Toxicity
Contains the alkaloids sparteine, and olupinine or lupanine, with levels varying according to the species. Cultivated garden lupins contain fewer alkaloids. Drying does not modify the toxicity of the plant; the alkaloids are not destroyed by desiccation.
Oral doses not well established:

LD

sheep

500g plant/day for 15 days

Acute form

• anorexia, dyspnoea, constipation, cyanosis of mucosae;
• hyperexcitation, convulsions;
• death in several hours or 1-5 days due to respiratory paralysis.

Chronic form

• anorexia, loss of weight, anaemia;
• mild jaundice (or jaundice), subcutaneous oedema, progressive liver damage;
• death within several weeks.

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Lesions
Acute form
Non-specific.

Chronic form

• Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the entire carcase), hepatic degeneration.

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Treatment
No antidote. Symptomatic and supportive care only.

Advice and recommendations
Use selected cultivated lupins, varieties which have been purposely bred to be less toxic.