lupin

Lupin, lupin, or lupines refers to flowering plants in the genus Lupinus in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus comprises more than 200 species native to western North America, the Andes, and the Mediterranean region. Lupines are typically herbaceous plants with palmate leaves and tall inflorescences of pea-like flowers that come in colors such as blue, purple, yellow, and white. They are widely grown as ornamentals and are valued for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which can improve soil quality in gardens and restoration projects. Some species produce seeds called lupini beans that are edible after extensive processing; raw seeds contain alkaloids and can be toxic.

Beyond botany, Lupin appears in fiction and popular culture. Arsène Lupin is a fictional French gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc in the early 20th century. Lupin III is a Japanese manga and anime character who is depicted as the crafty grandson of Arsène Lupin. In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Remus Lupin is a werewolf and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. The Netflix series Lupin, released in 2021, stars Assane Diop and is inspired by the Arsène Lupin stories.

Etymology and naming: The plant genus Lupinus is derived from Latin lupinus, meaning wolf-like, a classical reference connected with historical associations in various cultures. The name Lupin in fiction borrows from the surname of Arsène Lupin, which in turn has influenced later works such as Lupin III.