Asparagus Pea, Winged pea

Lotus tetragonolobus

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean.

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].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known