Lathyrus ochrus - (L.)DC.
(L.)DC.
Cyprus Vetch
gbif· cc-by-nc
Cristina Peixinhos
gbif· cc-by-nc
Cristina Peixinhos
gbif· cc-by-nc
Cristina Peixinhos
Description
Lathyrus ochrus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from March to June, 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked. This plant is an annual, an edible root has not as yet been noticed.
Known Hazards
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). Great caution is advised.
Distribution
Europe - Mediterranean.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria (west), Turkey (n. & w.) EUROPE: Ukraine (Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Libya (introd.?), Morocco, Tunisia
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun. 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.
