Chickling Vetch, Red pea

Lathyrus cicera

Physical Characteristics

Lathyrus cicera is a ANNUAL. 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.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[105]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Seedpods - they must be well cooked[2, 61, 142]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The seed (and possibly the whole plant?) is poisonous unless well cooked[61]. 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)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.