Yellow-Flowered Pea

Lathyrus aphaca

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.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, from Germany south and east to the Mediterranean, Iran and Afghanistan.

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.

Medicinal Uses

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

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[65, 76].