Lupine, Bluebonnet, Quaker-bonnets (pea family) - Lupinus perennis (wild) - Lupinus polyphyllus (cultivated).
TOXICITY RATING: Low to moderate. Where lupines grow plentifully, the risk of toxicosis will be high. Different species of lupine have different toxicities. According to reports, L. leucophyllus (velvet or wooly-leafed lupine) is the most toxic and should never be grazed since all stages of plant growth are toxic.
ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals are susceptible.
DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: All parts, especially pods with seeds.
CLASS OF SIGNS: Breathing problems, behavioral changes, trembling, birth defects, coma, death.
PLANT DESCRIPTION: Lupines are herbaceous perennials grown in gardens or found wild along roadsides, in fields, and in open woods. Several stems often grow from one creeping root and reach 12 to 30 inches in height. The leaves are alternate and pal-mately compound with 7 to 11 spear-tip-shaped, softly hairy segments. Elongate spikes of blue, purple, white, magenta, or bicolored pea-like flowers in early summer are followed by 1- to 2-inch, fuzzy, pea-like pods.
SIGNS: Toxicity in lupine is believed to result primarily from the alkaloid D-lupanine. The signs of lupine poisoning can develop within an hour or may take as long as a day. The signs are related to the nervous system and resemble the signs seen with excessive consumption of nicotine (tobacco): twitching, nervousness, depression, difficulty in moving and breathing, and loss of muscular control. If large quantities were consumed, convulsions, coma, and death by respiratory paralysis may occur.
FIRST AID: There is no antidote. Allow affected animals to rest quietly. Handling, or other stress on the animals after they have eaten lupine will make the signs worse and can increase losses.
PREVENTION: Do not allow hungry animals access to lupine, particularly when in the seed stage, if other forage is not available. If lupines are prevalent in where animals graze, become familiar with the particular species, since toxicities vary.
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