Lathyrus linifolius montanus - Bitter Vetch

Family:	Leguminosae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:	L. macrorrhizus. L. montanus. Orobus tuberosus.
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, but absent in far north and rare in southeast.

Lathyrus linifolius montanus (Bitter Vetch) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Bitter Vetch will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Bitter Vetch will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Bitter Vetch prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bitter Vetch can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods, hedges and thickets in hilly country avoiding chalk[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun[200]. Formerly cultivated for its edible seed[2]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Seed - cooked[2, 177]. Used as a vegetable, they are served in the same manner as sweet chestnuts[2]. Some caution is advised in the use of this seed, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked[5, 61, 105]. Boiled or roasted, they have a sweet flavour and are very nutritious[2, 115].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it can also be sown in situ in mid spring[200]. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[200].

Known Hazards

The seed contains a toxic amino-acid which, in large quantities, can cause a very serious disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism'. The seed is said to be perfectly safe and very nutritious in small quantities, but should not comprise more than 30% of the diet[65, 76].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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