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Lotus tetragonolobus - L.

Common Name Asparagus Pea, Winged pea
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cultivated ground and vineyards.
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lotus tetragonolobus Asparagus Pea, Winged pea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Magnus_Manske
Lotus tetragonolobus Asparagus Pea, Winged pea
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Magnus_Manske

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lotus tetragonolobus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Tetragonolobus purpurea. Moench.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses: Coffee

Young seedpods - raw or cooked[16, 27, 33]. Added to salads, cooked as a vegetable or added to soups, stews etc[183]. The taste is said to resemble asparagus[183]. Only the very young pods, when less than 25mm long, should be used, since the older pods quickly turn fibrous[183]. Considered by many to be a gourmet food, though it is not a very high yielding crop[K]. Seed - cooked. Used like peas[105, 177, 183]. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[27, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1], preferring a rich light well-drained soil in a sunny position[33]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible young seedpods and also as an ornamental plant[16, 33]. 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[200]. 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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in the spring[33]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 15°c. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer[33].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Turkey (west), Azerbaijan, Georgia EUROPE: Ukraine (Krym), Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (s.?) AFRICA: Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Lotus edulis Annual0.1 -  LMNDM30 
Lotus halophilusGreater Bird's Foot TrefoilPerennial0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Lotus uliginosusGreater Bird's Foot TrefoilPerennial0.4 5-9  LMHNMWe003
Melilotus albusWhite MelilotAnnual/Biennial1.2 - FLMHNDM223
Melilotus altissimusTall Melilot, Tall yellow sweetcloverBiennial/Perennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNDM201
Melilotus elegansElegant sweetcloverAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHNDM10 
Melilotus indicusAnnual Yellow SweetcloverAnnual1.0 5-9  LMHNDM121
Melilotus officinalisMelilot, SweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM233
Melilotus suaveolensSweetcloverAnnual/Biennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM11 
Melilotus wolgicusSweetcloverBiennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM10 
Nelumbo luteaAmerican Water Lotus, American lotusPerennial1.8 4-8  LMHNWa410
Nelumbo nuciferaSacred Water Lotus, Sacred lotusPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHNWa431

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

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Subject : Lotus tetragonolobus  
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