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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lathyrus aphaca is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
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 and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked. Only use when immature, the fully ripe seed can be narcotic in large quantities[2, 105, 115]. The seed is harmless and nutritious when eaten in small quantities[76]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

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.
Narcotic Resolvent

The ripe seeds are said to be narcotic[2, 105, 240]. The flowers are resolvent[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun[200]. Plants dislike shade. An interesting plant botanically because the true leaves have been modified into tendrils and the stipules have become leaves[100]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[188]. 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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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[200]. 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[200]. In nature, most of the seed germinates in the autumn but many of the seedlings do not manage to survive the winter[17].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: India, Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Russian Federation (European part), Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, 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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lathyrus alatus		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Lathyrus cicera	Chickling Vetch, Red pea	Annual	0.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	1	0
Lathyrus davidii		Perennial	1.2	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Lathyrus japonicus	Beach Pea, Smallflower beach pea	Perennial	0.6	3-7		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Lathyrus japonicus maritimus	Beach Pea	Perennial	0.6	3-7		LMH	N	DM	2	0	3
Lathyrus latifolius	Perennial Sweet Pea, Perennial pea	Perennial Climber	2.0	5-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	1	0	2
Lathyrus linifolius montanus	Bitter Vetch	Perennial	0.6	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	0	3
Lathyrus nervosus	Lord Anson's Pea	Perennial Climber	0.5	8-11		LMH	N	M	2	0
Lathyrus ochroleucas	Cream Peavine	Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Lathyrus ochrus	Cyprus Vetch	Annual	0.6	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Lathyrus odoratus	Sweet Pea, Wild Pea,Vetchling	Annual Climber	2.0	2-11	F	LMH	SN	M	1	0	3
Lathyrus ornatus	Bush Vetchling	Perennial	0.3	3-7		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Lathyrus palustris	Slenderstem Peavine, Marsh pea	Perennial Climber	1.2	4-8		LMH	N	MWe	1	0
Lathyrus polymorphus	Manystem Peavine, Hoary pea	Perennial	0.4	0-0		LMH	N	M	1	0
Lathyrus pratensis	Meadow Vetchling	Perennial	1.2	4-8		LMH	N	MWe	0	1	1
Lathyrus quinquenervius		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	N	MWe	1	0
Lathyrus sativus	Chickling Pea, White pea	Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	1	3
Lathyrus sylvestris	Flat pea, Wood pea	Perennial Climber	1.5	6-9	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Lathyrus tuberosus	Earthnut Pea, Tuberous sweetpea	Perennial	1.2	5-9		LMH	SN	M	5	0	3

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.

Lathyrus aphaca - L.