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Lathyrus tuberosus
  • Earthnut Pea

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lathyrus tuberosus has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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)[1][2]. Great caution is advised.

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked or raw[3][4][5][6][7]. Sweet and starchy, it is delicious when baked with a flavour that is somewhat like a sweet potato[183, K]. Taste trials consistently place this root very highly, it is certainly one of our favourites[K]. Unfortunately, yields are rather low and so the plant is only worthwhile growing as a taste treat, not as a staple crop[K].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Lathyrus tuberosus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Lathyrus tuberosus.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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 of the tubers when the plant is dormant in spring or autumn.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lathyrus tuberosus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil[8]. It prefers a limestone soil in a warm position[9], and likes some shade[10].

A climbing plant, scrambling through other plants and supporting itself by tendrils[11]. It tends to be slightly invasive[12] with new stems emerging at some distance from the parent plant[11]. The earthnut pea has occasionally been cultivated for its edible root[3][13]. Slugs are inordinately fond of this plant and will totally destroy it given a chance[K]. 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[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lathyrus tuberosus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lathyrus tuberosus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lathyrus tuberosus
Genus
Lathyrus
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[14][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    12. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    13. ? Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Lathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lathyrus_tuberosus&oldid=78136"
    Facts about "Lathyrus tuberosus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusLathyrus +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameEarthnut Pea +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageLathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has primary imageLathyrus Tuberosus closeup.JPG +
    Has search namelathyrus tuberosus + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLathyrus tuberosus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +