Practical
Plants

Lathyrus sativus

Chickling Pea · Chickling Vetch · Grass Pea · White Pea

a legume vine of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae. Despite it's toxicity, it is cultivated in many countries due to it's high resistance to drought making it an ideal famine crop.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
blue, indigo, violet
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.

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[10][11].

Edible uses

The immature seed can be eaten like green peas[4][7][3]. The mature seed is eaten cooked[4][7][8][3]. It needs to be soaked and well cooked before being eaten[9]. The seed can also be ground into a powder and mixed with wheat in a ratio of one part vetch to 3 parts of wheat flour to make a protein-enhanced bread[4][3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young seedpods - cooked[1][2][3]. Young shoots - cooked[2][3].

Plant part
Leaves, Shoots, Seedpods
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Dried, Soaked, Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable, Legume, Protein
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Dried, Ground
Product or use
Flour
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The oil from the seeds is a powerful and dangerous cathartic[6].

Plant part
Oil
Product or use
Cathartic

Material uses

The plant has an extensive root system and fixes atmospheric nitrogen through bacteria that live on the roots. It makes a good soil-enriching green manure crop or can be planted for erosion control[5].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Green manure

Earth stabiliser

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
The original habitat is obscure, possibly S. Europe.
Habitat
Found as a weed of cultivated land though this is as a relict of cultivation, the plant is not known in a truly wild state[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
low
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
True
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[5]. 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[5]. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[5].

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun[14]. 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[14]. 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.

Crops

Seed

When the seedpods begin to dry, they can be picked or the entire plant can be harvested and left to dry. Once dried, they should be shelled to remove the seed for storage.

Storage
The seed, once dried, can be stored for a number of years.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  7. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  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

    ↩

  12. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

    ↩

  13. [Grass Pea] Crop Trust (2013/07/13)

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  15. [Lathyrus sativus] Wikipedia (2013/07/13)

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