Cyprus Vetch

Lathyrus ochrus

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[2, 105]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked[105]. This plant is an annual, an edible root has not as yet been noticed.

Medicinal Uses

None known

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)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.