Practical
Plants

Lathyrus linifolius montanus

Bitter Vetch

a perennial member of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed contains a toxic amino-acid which, in large quantities, can cause a very serious disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism'. The seed is said to be perfectly safe and very nutritious in small quantities, but should not comprise more than 30% of the diet[9][10].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - cooked[5][4]. Used as a vegetable, they are served in the same manner as sweet chestnuts[5]. Some caution is advised in the use of this seed, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked[7][8][1]. Boiled or roasted, they have a sweet flavour and are very nutritious[5][2].

Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, but absent in far north and rare in southeast.
Habitat
Woods, hedges and thickets in hilly country avoiding chalk[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[6]. 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[6]. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun[6]. Formerly cultivated for its edible seed[5]. 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[6].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  9. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  10. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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