Cape Horn pea
Lathyrus magellanicus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a climbing plant with stems produced each year from a rootstock. It lasts for a few years. It grows 30-60 cm tall. The stems scramble over the ground and can climb with tendrils. The leaves are 25-85 mm long by 8-25 mm wide. The flowers are blue to purple. The seeds are 3-4 mm across.

Where it is found

It can grow in tropical places. It grows in coastal sands and open grassland. In the tropics it can grow to 2,400 m above sea level. It grows in Subantarctic forests of Araucaria araucana in Argentina. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It can tolerate frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina (country/location of origin), Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay

How it is used for food

The seeds have been eaten as an emergency food. They are cooked. Caution:

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It is probably best to pre-soak them.

Its other names

Local names

Lord Anson's pea, Alvergilla, Arvejilla

Synonyms

Orobus magellanicus (Lam.) Alef.;