Lathyrus aphaca
L.
Yellow-Flowered Pea
(c) Uriah Resheff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Uriah Resheff
(c) carlobraunert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by carlobraunert
(c) Raoul Gerend, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Raoul Gerend
What to Eat
Edible parts: Seed
Seed - cooked. Only use when immature, the fully ripe seed can be narcotic in large quantities. The seed is harmless and nutritious when eaten in small quantities. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Europe, including Britain, from Germany south and east to the Mediterranean, Iran and Afghanistan.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: India, Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Russian Federation (European part), Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
How to Identify
Lathyrus aphaca is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
How to Grow
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun. Plants dislike shade. An interesting plant botanically because the true leaves have been modified into tendrils and the stipules have become leaves. Plants climb by means of tendrils. 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. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
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. In nature, most of the seed germinates in the autumn but many of the seedlings do not manage to survive the winter.
Medicinal Uses
Narcotic Resolvent. The ripe seeds are said to be narcotic. The flowers are resolvent.
