Chickling Vetch, Grass Pea
Lathyrus sativus

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is a scrambling plant. It grows 100 cm high and spreads 100 cm wide. The stems are winged. The leaves have stalks. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets have short stalks. The leaflets are 2-5.5 cm long. The tendrils branch. The flowers are blue or reddish-purple. The fruit is a flat pod.

There are about 150 Lathyrus species.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate places. In Nepal it grows to about 1100 m altitude. In Africa it grows to 3,500 m above sea level. It grows in moist places. It is drought resistant. It grows in the highlands in Eritrea. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Crete, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Sicily, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Poisonous unless treated. It can cause the legs to become paralysed. This disease called lathyrism occurs when the diet is 30-50% chickling vetch. The risk can be reduced by boiling and baking. The seeds are eaten. They are used in soups. In small quantities they do not cause problems. The leaves are eaten as a pot-herb. The flour from the dried seeds is occasionally mixed with wheat or rye flour. The very young pods are cooked and eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, pods, vegetable, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It gives some yield even when other bean or grain crops have failed.

Its other names

Local names

Batura, Chapta-Mattar, Chickling pea, Chural, Dogtooth pea, Doukhobor pea, Emtor, Ghata chilo, Ghata chio, Guaya, Indian pea, Jangli mater, Jangli matter, Jangli mattri, Jhala, Kansari, Karas, Karil, Kassar, Kesari, Khesar, Khesari, Khesra, Khesri, Kisari, Kukarmany, Lakh, Lakholi, Lang, Latri, Marghayo hpay, Mürdümük, Navadni grahor, Pe-chinbaung, Pe-sali, Sandika, Sanma, Soqila cukan, Tapvolor, Teora, Tiuri, Triputi, Wedge pea

Synonyms

Lathyrus asiaticus (Zalk.) Kudri; Lathyrus sativus L. var. stenophyllus Boiss.; Lathyrus sativus L. subsp. asiaticus Zalkind;