Slenderstem peavine, Wild pea, Marsh pea
Lathyrus palustris

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-100 cm high. The leaves are narrow and in pairs. The flowers are purple and pea like. They are 1.3 cm long. The pods are narrow and 3-4 cm long. There is a beak at the tip.

There are about 150 Lathyrus species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It likes moisture. In China it grows in marshes and rice fields. It grows from sea level to 3,500 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Europe, Indochina, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, North America, Russia, SE Asia, Switzerland, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Poisonous unless treated. It can cause the legs to become paralysed. The seeds are eaten. In small quantities they do not cause problems.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, plant, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Lathyrus incurvus Rchb.; and several others