Lathyrus tuberosus
L.
Earthnut Pea, Tuberous sweetpea
(c) AnneTanne, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Виктория Рябкова, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Виктория Рябкова
(c) V.S. Volkotrub, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by V.S. Volkotrub
What to Eat
Edible parts: Root
Root - cooked or raw. Sweet and starchy, it is delicious when baked with a flavour that is somewhat like a sweet potato. Taste trials consistently place this root very highly, it is certainly one of our favourites. Unfortunately, yields are rather low and so the plant is only worthwhile growing as a taste treat, not as a staple crop.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain in a very few sites in E. England.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Altay, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia, Gansu Sheng, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Primorye, Russian Federation, Russian Federation, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Siberia, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu,Iran (northwest). EUROPE: Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic and Slovakia), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation-European part, European part, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Krym, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (north), Romania, Spain (central & east.), France,
How to Identify
Lathyrus tuberosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil. It prefers a limestone soil in a warm position, and likes some shade. A climbing plant, scrambling through other plants and supporting itself by tendrils. It tends to be slightly invasive with new stems emerging at some distance from the parent plant. The earthnut pea has occasionally been cultivated for its edible root. Slugs are inordinately fond of this plant and will totally destroy it given a chance. A good bee plant. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. A suckering vine sending up suckers some distance main plant.
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it can also be sown in situ in mid spring. Division of the tubers when the plant is dormant in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
Nitrogen fixer. Attractive flowers. Attracts wildlife.
