The Lupinous plant species is a family of very beautiful flowering plants used in many gardens and in landscaping throughout North America. However, the plant, after spreading into the wild, has posed a tremendous poisoning threat to domestic pets and livestock.

The plants.

Lupines are plants that exist in the Legume family with flowers that are pea-like. They are usually seen in blue colors but can sometimes have white or yellow tints. After pollination they develop seed pods that can reach lengths of up to an inch or more in length. Although they are very pretty flowering plants, all Lupins ("Lupin" and "Lupine" are both correct spellings) are toxic to humans and animals alike.

Geography

The Lupines are indigenous to the Canadian areas of North America. However, through cultivation and use in gardening, the plants have spread to and thrived throughout the range lands of the United States. This puts the plant in frequent and direct contact with grazing animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

The Poison

In lupinous plants, a chemical known as lupinine (or quinolizidine alkaloid) is produced and present throughout the plant structure. The highest concentrations of lupinine are found in the seeds, pods, and leaves of the plant. Lupinine is an alkaloid similar to Nicotine but with harmful effects on the body. Each specific plant species produces different volumes of lupinine, making some more poisonous than others.

Toxicity

Lupinine is extremely toxic. Many experts believe that a lethal dose can be as little as 1% raw plant material or less of body weight. When processed, lupinine is lethal at as little as a droplet. Death usually occurs when the victim's involuntary breathing function is interrupted by the lupinine and suffocation results. However, natural exposure to lupinine poison rarely results in death. Consuming as few as twenty lupine beans, though, can kill a child.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupine Poisoning

As with all neurological poisons, lupinine has very specific and characteristic effects on the body. Some of these symptoms include visual and auditory hallucinations, numbness sensation in hands and feet, excessive salivation, ataxia, dyspnea, and seizures. High doses include involuntary muscle movement and coma followed by death. Lower doses of lupinine can result in severe diarrhea that often leads to shock-inducing dehydration.

Treatment

There is no antidote to lupinine. Treatment of poisoning consists of treating the symptoms and flushing the system. Recovery occurs in almost all poisoning cases but is dependent upon the dosage of lupinine and time elapsed before treatment.

Source:

Lupine plant information

Canadian Lupine Poisoning Information

Calafornia Veterinary Lupine Data

More Information:

Utah Poison Control Center - Poisonous Plants