Lathyrus linifolius is a species of pea, commonly called bitter vetch or heath pea. The name bitter vetch is also sometimes used for Vicia ervilia and also for Vicia orobus. The tubers of Lathyrus linifolius were formerly used as an appetite suppressant in medievalScotland, and this use has brought the plant to recent medical attention. Attempts are being made to cultivate the plant on a commercial scale.[3]
Lathyrus linifolius is a perennial plant with dark-coloured tubers attached to the roots. The stem grows to 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) and is erect, winged and nearly hairless. The leaves are alternate with short winged stalks and large stipules. The leaf blades are pinnate with two to four pairs of narrow lanceolate leaflets with blunt tips, entire margins and no tendrils. The inflorescence has a long stem and two to six red flowers, each 10 to 16 mm (0.4 to 0.6 in) long, turning bluer as they age. These have five sepals and five petals and are irregular. The uppermost petal is known as the "standard", the lateral two as the "wings" and the lowest two are joined to form the "keel". There are ten stamens and a single carpel. The fruit is a long reddish-brown pod containing up to ten seeds. This plant flowers in May and June.[4]
Distribution and habitatedit
Lathyrus linifolius is native to Europe and parts of Asia. Its typical habitat is rough grassy places, broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, hedgerows and banks.[4]
Usesedit
This plant was formerly an ingredient of the Highland diet when food was scarce until the 18th century, when the potato became an important crop in the region. The small tubers were removed from the roots and dried. Once eaten, they prevented thirst and hunger pangs. Certain medieval herbals[which?] claimed that this effect could last for days or even weeks. It is surmised that this effect derives from the presence in them of transethanol.[3]
^Rowe, J.; Sánchez , E.; Maxted, N. (2019). "Lathyrus linifolius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T120074556A122201956. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T120074556A122201956.en. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
^"Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Bassler". International Legume Database & Information Service. Retrieved 2016-08-02 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
^ abc. The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 3 June 2006. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
lathyrus, linifolius, species, commonly, called, bitter, vetch, heath, name, bitter, vetch, also, sometimes, used, vicia, ervilia, also, vicia, orobus, tubers, were, formerly, used, appetite, suppressant, medieval, scotland, this, brought, plant, recent, medic. Lathyrus linifolius is a species of pea commonly called bitter vetch or heath pea The name bitter vetch is also sometimes used for Vicia ervilia and also for Vicia orobus The tubers of Lathyrus linifolius were formerly used as an appetite suppressant in medieval Scotland and this use has brought the plant to recent medical attention Attempts are being made to cultivate the plant on a commercial scale 3 Lathyrus linifolius Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Kingdom Plantae Clade Tracheophytes Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Rosids Order Fabales Family Fabaceae Subfamily Faboideae Genus Lathyrus Species L linifolius Binomial name Lathyrus linifolius Reichard Bassler Synonyms 2 Lathyrus macrorrhizus Wimm Lathyrus montanus Bernh Orobus linifolius Reichard Orobus tuberosus L p p Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Uses 4 References 5 External linksDescription editLathyrus linifolius is a perennial plant with dark coloured tubers attached to the roots The stem grows to 15 to 30 cm 6 to 12 in and is erect winged and nearly hairless The leaves are alternate with short winged stalks and large stipules The leaf blades are pinnate with two to four pairs of narrow lanceolate leaflets with blunt tips entire margins and no tendrils The inflorescence has a long stem and two to six red flowers each 10 to 16 mm 0 4 to 0 6 in long turning bluer as they age These have five sepals and five petals and are irregular The uppermost petal is known as the standard the lateral two as the wings and the lowest two are joined to form the keel There are ten stamens and a single carpel The fruit is a long reddish brown pod containing up to ten seeds This plant flowers in May and June 4 Distribution and habitat editLathyrus linifolius is native to Europe and parts of Asia Its typical habitat is rough grassy places broad leaved woodland forest margins hedgerows and banks 4 Uses editThis plant was formerly an ingredient of the Highland diet when food was scarce until the 18th century when the potato became an important crop in the region The small tubers were removed from the roots and dried Once eaten they prevented thirst and hunger pangs Certain medieval herbals which claimed that this effect could last for days or even weeks It is surmised that this effect derives from the presence in them of transethanol 3 The plant may be the one eaten by Roman soldiers in the battle of Dyrrhacium in 48 BCE 3 References edit Rowe J Sanchez E Maxted N 2019 Lathyrus linifolius IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019 e T120074556A122201956 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2019 2 RLTS T120074556A122201956 en Retrieved 23 November 2021 Lathyrus linifolius Reichard Bassler International Legume Database amp Information Service Retrieved 2016 08 02 via The Plant List Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online a b c New bloom for heath pea as a slimming aid The Scotsman Edinburgh 3 June 2006 Archived from the original on 2016 08 20 Retrieved 2016 08 03 a b Bitter vetch Lathyrus linifolius NatureGate Retrieved 2013 12 31 External links editHeath Pea site for Schools Crofters and Farmers The bitter pea that is a master of disguise nbsp This Fabeae related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lathyrus linifolius amp oldid 1212411598, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
