Lathyrus sativus

Chickling Pea, White pea

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves, Seed, Seedpod, Shoots Potential hazards — see below

environmental engineeringfodderfoodpoison

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

wikimedia· cc0

No machine-readable author provided. Chocid~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). (via Wikimedia Commons)

Description

Lathyrus sativus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

The immature seed can be eaten like green peas. The mature seed is eaten cooked. It needs to be soaked and well cooked before being eaten. 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. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young seedpods - cooked. Young shoots - cooked.

Medicinal Uses

Cathartic. The oil from the seeds is a powerful and dangerous cathartic.

Known Hazards

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.

Distribution

The original habitat is obscure, possibly S. Europe.

Where It Grows

Coming Soon

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun. The chickling pea is cultivated for its edible seed in India and the Middle East, but see notes above on toxicity. 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. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken.

Other Uses

Green manure Soil stabilization. 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.