Practical
Plants

Lathyrus palustris

Slenderstem Peavine

a legume vine of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae. No reliable information can be found on cultivation or toxicity of this plant, but it's closely related and visually similar to L. sativus.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[10][11]. Great caution is advised.

Edible uses

Due to the similarity with L. sativus, it is suggested to check the edible and toxicity notes for that species.

Plant part
Leaves, Stems, Seedpods
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Dried, Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable, Legume, Protein

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Spain, Siberia and Japan. E. N. America
Habitat
Fens and damp places in grass or bushes[4],
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
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[8]. 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[8]. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[8].

Cultivation

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

A good plant for the bog or marsh garden, succeeding in wet soils[1][8]. It is easily grown in any moderately good garden soil, preferring a position in full sun[8]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[7]. 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[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

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

  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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

    ↩

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

  6. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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

    ↩

  11. 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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