Lupinus mutabilis is a species of lupin grown in the Andes, mainly for its edible bean. Vernacular names include tarwi (in Quechua II, pronounced tarhui), chocho, altramuz, Andean lupin, South American lupin, Peruvian field lupin, and pearl lupin.
The nutrient-rich beans are high in protein and a source of vegetable oil. Their bitter flavor has made them relatively unknown outside the Andes, but the responsible alkaloids can be removed. Like other species of lupin beans, it is expanding in use as a plant-based protein.
Description
L. mutabilis is an annual plant. The stem is hollow and highly branched. The plant's height reaches from
The corolla reaches 1–2 cm (3⁄8–3⁄4 in) and contains five petals. Variation in coloration is high and reaches from white to purple. The white coloration is recessive to purple. The fruit is a 5–12 cm (2–5 in) long pod, depending on the amount of seed. One pod contains on average 2–3 seeds, but can have up to 9 seeds per pod. The thousand-seed weight is around 200 grams (7.1 oz).
Its highly variable genome contains 2n = 48 chromosomes, which leads to significant differences in morphology. Several architectural types of L. mutabilis exist. The most common is the branching in V-form, which has the highest biomass production. The basal branching type has the positive feature that its infructescence is at the same level. This species is preferably promoted because of its early ripening, stability, and homogeneity in seed quality. The growing cycle varies from 150 to 360 days, depending on the genotype, altitude, and environmental conditions. Phenological phases are emergence, first true leaf, formation of the raceme on the central stem, flowering, podding, pod ripening, and physiological maturity.
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Illustration
Seeds close up
