Thermopsis lanceolata

R. Br.

Siberian Lupin, Golden banner

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves 999 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Thermopsis lanceolata, the tapered false lupin (or lupine), is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, native to Russia (Siberia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal and China (Hebei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Qinghai Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (s.)). Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall and broad, this herbaceous perennial has grey-green leaves and erect tapering panicles of pale yellow, pea-like flowers in spring. It is closely related to the familiar lupins of gardens, but with a more bushy appearance. The plant is tough and resilient, tolerating a wide range of growing conditions, but resents disturbance. The Latin specific epithet lanceolata means 'spear-shaped', in reference to the leaves. An alkaloid that is present in Thermopsis lanceolata is called Thermopsine [486-90-8].

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are erect and 12-40 cm tall. It has ridges and yellow hairs. The leaflets are oblong and 3-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are yellow. The pods are 5-9 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are hairy and have a beak at the end. There are 6-14 seeds.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grasslands and ravines.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia, Tajikistan,

References (4)

W. T. Aiton, Hortus kew. ed. 2, 3:3. 1811
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 298
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 121-143).