Lathyrus Sp. - Wild pea

Family: Fabaceae 

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Image References

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Annual, perennial herb, unarmed, glabrous or hairy (glandular), generally rhizomed. Stem: sprawling, climbing, or erect; angled, flanged, or winged. Leaf: generally even-1-pinnate; stipules persistent, upper lobe > lower; main axis ending as tendril or short bristle; leaflets ± rolled in bud, 0–16 (if 0, stipules leaflet-like), ± opposite or alternate, linear to widely ovate. Inflorescence: raceme, generally axillary, 1–many-flowered. Flower: upper calyx lobes generally <, wider than lower; corolla 8–30 mm, pink-purple or pale, occasionally white or yellow; 9 filaments fused, 1 free; style ± flat, puberulent near ± middle for ± 1/3–1/2 adaxially. Fruit: dehiscent, oblong, ± flat.
± 150 species: temperate North America, South America, Mediterranean, Eurasia. (Ancient Greek name) Seeds of most alien species. TOXIC to humans, livestock (especially horses). [Broich 2007 Madroño 54:63–71] Some species variable, intergrading with others; some hybridization probable. Lathyrus aphaca L. (leaflets 0, stipules leaflet-like) not naturalized in California.
Unabridged references: [Broich 1987 Syst Bot 12:139–153; Broich 2007 Madroño 54:63–71; Kenicer et al. 2005 Amer J Bot 92: 1199–1209.]

Local Species;

  1. Lathyrus japonicus - Beach pea
  2. Lathyrus latifolius - broad-leaved peavine
  3. Lathyrus littoralis - grey beach peavine
  4. Lathyrus nevadensis - purple peavine
  5. Lathyrus palustris - marsh peavine
  6. Lathyrus pratensis - meadow peavine
  7. Lathyrus sphaericus - grass peavine
  8. Lathyrus sylvestris - narrow-leaved everlasting peavine

Hazards
Members of this genus can cause Lathyrism.

Hazards
To be on the safe side, don't eat members of the Lathyrus genus when experiencing negative nutrition balance, (like fasting, rapid weight loss diets, strict raw food vegan diets, starvation), or during very rapid growth (very young children and pregnant women).
At this point, I would avoid the sprouts of grass peas and for now of any members of the Lathyrus genus due to the presence of isoxazolin derivatives that apparently make the seedlings more toxic than the dry seeds. This is a separate issue from the non-protein amino acids.
Also note that the germ of the seed apparently has a higher concentration of non-protein amino acids than any other part of the plant. The least toxic parts are the young vegetative shoots, flower buds and flowers from plants who have not yet begun producing seeds in pods.
There is another consideration that there is no protection from. An individual's unique physiological abnormalities and food sensitivities. No one can predict this. Some people cannot eat strawberries, some peanuts, some wheat, and on and on.
If you are a hypochondriac, don't eat wild sweet pea because you will develop symptoms. I cannot stress this enough![WFF Kalls]

Edible Uses

Seed  

A rarer food use is that of Lathyrus sylvestris (tender seeds eaten in soups) [36]. Its vernacular name "òleca" refers to a plant eaten as a vegetable, from the Latin "olera", but the toxicity of some species of the genus Lathyrus is known. [FFFTTS]

Other Uses

Weaving  

Lathyrus sp; Fiber-Aleut Other Used for weaving. (7:29) [NAEth Moerman]

Other Usage  

Lathyrus palustris; Other-Meskwaki Hunting & Fishing Item - Root used as a lure to trap beaver and other game. (152:273) [NAEth Moerman]

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrheal  

Lathyrus sp; Drug-Weyot Antidiarrheal - Plant used as a diarrhea medicine. (117:180) [NAEth Moerman]

Antirheumatic  

Lathyrus japonicas var. maritimus; Iroquois Antirheumatic (External) -Stalks cooked as greens and used for rheumatism. (as L. maritimus 124:93) [NAEth Moerman]

Phytochemicals

L. japonicus
Seeds - cis-5-hydroxy-L-pipecolic acid
Seeds - y-L-glutamyl-L-lathyrine [YLLJ]

L. sativus
The major drawback to widespread use of Lathyrus sativus as a dietary protein source is the inherent presence of the potent neurotoxin ß-ODAP. The present study indicates a high variability in ß-ODAP levels by area of cultivation. Our results further evidence that the Lathyrus sativus seeds are characterized as high neurotoxic varieties in which the level of ß-ODAP is quite variable, between 0.518 to 1.001 mg/100 g seed weight. These values are 2.6 to 5 times higher than the level presumed safe for human consumption [21].
The major physiological effect of trypsin inhibitor is to cause the enlargement of the pancreas and secretion of excessive amounts of pancreatic enzymes much of which is lost to the animal in feces. The TIA values in the present study are comparable to those previously reported for selected Ethiopian grass pea germ plasm collections and seeds cultivated in Poland [7, 23]. Our findings are, however, in contrast to previous reports that grass pea seeds were characterized by very high trypsin inhibitor activity [24].
The high content of phytate in food samples is of nutritional significance since phytates form complexes with minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium can make the mineral content of a food inadequate, especially for children. Of the grass pea samples evaluated in this study, samples collected from Akaki, Habro and Gimbichu, all with 1% or more phytic acid, have the potential to interfere with the availability of minerals.
Tannins have been claimed to affect adversely protein digestibility from plant-based diets (28). In the present study, the concentration of tannins was generally high in all the samples analyzed and similar to values reported for grass pea germ plasm [7]. Tannin levels in our study were found to generally vary with the intensity of pigmentation, with the darker seed coats generally giving higher levels of tannins consistent with the work of Deshpande and Campbell [24].[EthLsat]

Oils
In data not presented, 10 of the 107 species had a rating of 11. These species contained 10-21% protein, 5-24% polyphenol, 1.5-3.6% oil and 0.2-0.6% hydrocarbon. Some ofthese species, which contained substantial amounts of protein and/or extractables, received an overall rating of 11 rather than 10 because their botanical and/or fiber characteristics (2 of the 5 factors used to develop an overall rating) were considered slightly inferior. Two of the 107 species that had relatively poor ratings of 13 and 14 contained the highest oil content. These were Lathyrus japonicus Willd. (maritime pea) with 4.2% oil and L. venosus Muhl. (veiny pea) with 4.5% oil. [RENEW]

References

  1. [EthLsat]EVALUATION OF LATHYRUS SATIVUS CULTIVATED IN ETHIOPIA FOR PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, MINERALS, â-ODAP AND ANTI-NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS, Urga K, Fufa H, Biratu E, Husain A, African Journal of Food Agriculture and Nutritional Development (AJFAND): Volume 5 No 1 2005
  2. [FFFTTS]Food, flavouring and feed plant traditions in the Tyrrhenian sector of Basilicata, Italy Paolo Maria Guarrera, Giovanni Salerno and Giulia Caneva, Journal ofEthnobiology and Ethnomedicine, Sept 2006
  3. 2013. Lathyrus, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=9364, accessed on Feb 21 2015
  4. [RENEW] Evaluation of 107 Legumes for Renewable, Sources of Energy. W. B. ROTH, M. E. CARR, I. M. CULL, B. S. PHILLIPS, and M. O. BAGBY, Economic Botany, 38(3), 1984
  5. [WFF Kallas] John Kallas, Wzld Food Adventurer Newsletter , Volume 9, No 4, 2004
  6. [YLLJ]y-L-GLUTAMYL-L-LATHYRINE FROM LATHYRUS JAPONICUS, SHIN-ICHIHATANAKAand SJXSUKOKANJZK, Phytochemistry, 1978, Vol. 17

Lathyrus latifolius - broad-leaved peavine

Lathyrus latifolius is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

General: Perennial herb from a rhizome; stems climbing, 0.8-2 m long, broadly winged, glabrous.

Habitat / Range
Mesic to dry roadsides and waste places; infrequent garden escape in S BC; introduced from Europe.
Hedges, vineyards, fields and uncultivated places[50]. S. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Origin Status: Exotic

Hazards
Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.

Toxic Amino Acids  

I could find no documented human poisonins from eating wild sweet pea. There are, however, some le- gitimate concerns over its safety under very specific circumstances. This is due to some non-protein amino acids which mayor may not be harmless. I will cover this in depth in adjacent articles. But for this article, I will summarize my understanding from my study of the science literature. These are my opinions:
Well fed populations that might be at some unspecified, but still probably low risk from eating LOTS of wild sweet pea seeds fall into three categories: People experiencing rapid growth (fetuses, infants), abnormal metabolism (catabolism, compromised liver or compromised protein metabolism), or anyone experiencing starvation "simulating" conditions that last for months (some- one in severe chronic nutrient deficiency, rapid long-term weight loss, very low carbohydrate diets, very low protein diets, poorly managed raw food diets, etc).
You do, however. have a realistic risk of developing the degenerative disease called lathyrism if both of the following are true at the same time.
1) you are a victim of famine and are starving to the point of wasting away over several months, and
2) during that time depend on wild sweet pea as 30% or more of your overall diet. Recent chronic famines in Africa provide these kinds of situations.
While the research I've read varies, boiling any part of any plants of the Lathyrus genus, in a considerable amount of water. reduces effective non-protein amino acids. Boiling 20 min removes about 40%, 3 hours about 85%. That's assuming you throw out the water. Roasting also reduces the bad amino acids in the seeds. Considering the tiny amounts that are found in these foods and the context of a good diet, reducing these substances is probably unnecessary. [WFF Kalls]

Edible Uses
Years ago I did some research on the edibility of wild sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius) and have since felt comfort-able eating its deli-cious greens, showy flowers, and green peas. The shoots, flower buds, and flowers have been a fine addi- tion to many of my meals.

Uses & Cooking
Uses & Cooking My favorite way to eat wild sweet pea shoots, flower buds, and flowers is raw - typically as a snack, in salads and vegetable mixes. There are few wild foods tht are this delicious.
The flowers are big and luxuriously colorful, a hot pink, giving any salad an invitingly delicious look. Their size, color, and general beauty make them an excellent way to garnish a plate or to be put in a vase to just decorate a table. They are one of the best tasting flow- ers you will find - sweet and rich. You can cook them. but I don't know why you. would. You could batter and fry them, but why hide the taste? Candying them is a great idea. That is another thing I can look forward to trying next June. The young shoots and flower buds have a sweet fresh and delicate green bean flavor. Both are tender in texture and fantastic raw or cooked. They are wonderful in a stir-fry, lightly par-boiled, or cooked in any way you would cook, prepare, and season green beans.
I do not have much experience with the seeds and have only snacked on them occasionally. Raw, their flavor is OK and pea-like, but not great. They are dry, mildly astringent and not so sweet relative to fresh domesticated sweet peas - even in their fresh young green stage.
I have not eaten the older peas that dry on the vine, but can imagine them cooked in all sorts of ways similar to the way you would domesticated dry green peas. Some cultures have roasted the seeds of some Lathyrus species. [WFF Kallas]

Seed  

cooked[105, 177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The peas produced by wild sweet pea are edible in the context of a healthy diet. Gathering enough of the fresh green peas for a serving is tedious due to the difficulty of opening the pod, the low number and small size of seeds. This is probably why they have not been eaten by humans on as large a scale as Lathyrus sativus. They were much less convenient.
I recommend using scissors to get the peas out of the still green pods. Make a length-wise cut along the edge and open the pod like a book. Push the peas out using your thumbnail.[WFF Kallas]

Young Seedpod  

cooked[105, 177].
I've found the pods at maturity just too fibrous to chew. I've read that some cultures boil the young pods. This may work best for younger pods that have had less time to mature into fiberousness. I'll have to experiment on this when I get some time. [WFF Kallas]

Young Plant  

cooked[105, 177].

New Shoots: Up to the time this plant is producing pods, the undifferentiated new leaf and stem shoots may be snapped clean from the stem. They are found at all the new growing points. If they are mature (differentiated) enough to look like the complete leaf I described earlier, they will be more fibrous. As long as the plant is growing, it will continue to regularly produce new shoots. The earlier in the season you find these, the more delicious their flavor. New shoots found later in the year will take on an unpleasant flavor. These are excellent raw. steamed. boiled, sauteed, fried... well, you get the picture - they're great! One of the more fabulous wild foods. Fresh, the flavor is sweet, reminiscent of snow pea pods -though much more tender. Boiled for two minutes, the flavor is a cross between cooked snow pea pods and asparagus. Fully mature leaves, like the one pictured on this page, are too fibrous to eat. [WFF Kallas]

Flowers  

Often, it is the flowers that lead you to this plant. They are so showy and beautiful. they accent any landscape. Gathering the flowers is easy. Cut the stem that leads to the raceme cluster like you would gather flowers for a friend. In fact, putting them in water will preserve them for a couple of days before they start to turn. They can accent the dinner table in a floral arrangement and be eaten! While the flowers appear continually from June to August, they are best gathered in June. The later in the season, the less pleasant they taste. To preserve freshness, snap each flower from its stem, just before use. Best eaten raw, used in and to decorate salads, or as a garnish for any meal, the flowers are substantial enough to be used in cooking as well. They have a sweet. mild green pea flavor. Choice in every way. [WFF Kallas]

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].

Cultivation
Plants can be grown without supports when they will sprawl on the ground and can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188, 202]. They should be spaced about 1.5 metres apart each way[208]. They are very vigorous and so are best not used with small plants[K]. They also die down completely in the winter, giving weeds a chance to become established[K].
Landscape Uses: Arbor, Container. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil[200], whether acid or alkaline[202]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates part day shade[200]. Succeeds in dry soils and is drought tolerant when established[190]. Grows well on dry slopes[208]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[202]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[187]. It is fast-growing and, when in a suitable position, can become invasive[202]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[188]. Resents root disturbance and can take a year or two to settle down after being moved[219]. 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]. Special Features: All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers.

Synonyms

References

Lathyrus littoralis - grey beach peavine

This is a red-listed taxon in B.C.

Introduction Silky beach pea is a perennial rhizomatous member of the pea family (Fabaceae) that is found in North America in coastal dunes and beaches only along the Pacific Coast (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California) (USDA 2011). In British Columbia, this is a red-listed species that is found in only a few locations on Vancouver Island (Saanich Peninsula) and the adjacent Gulf Islands (Sidney Spit), and on Haidai Gwaii. There is one report from Swishwash Island in the mouth of the Fraser River. Plants are prostrate to erect, flowers are a striking combination of purple and white, and leaves are alternate and pinnately compound with 4-8 leaflets. The plant is densely silky-grey, with silky-grey pods. Although rare in British Columbia, this is a salt-tolerant species that is used in revegetating shoreline areas in the U.S. In BC, it has now been reported from the following BEC zones: CDFmm, CWHvh, CWHwh, CWHxm (BCCDC 2012).

General: Perennial herb from a wide-spreading rhizome; stems prostrate to erect, 10-60 cm long, angled but not winged, densely grey-silky.

Habitat / Range
Coastal dunes and sand beaches; infrequent, scattered on Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands; S to N CA.

Origin Status: Native

References

Lathyrus nevadensis - purple peavine

SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC

General: Perennial herb from a creeping rhizome; stems erect to trailing, 15-100 cm tall/long, angled but not winged, soft-hairy.

Habitat / Range Mesic to dry, open forests (deciduous, coniferous, and mixed), glades and meadows in the lowland and montane zones; common in C (between 52o and 56o N) and SW BC, locally frequent in SC and SE BC, absent on the Queen Charlotte Islands, N Vancouver Island and the adjacent coast; S to CA.

Origin Status: Native

Ecological Indicator Information
A shade-tolerant/intolerant, submontane to montane, Western North American forb distributed in the Pacific and Cordilleran regions. Occurs on moderately dry to fresh, nitrogen­rich soils within boreal, temperate, and cool mesothermal climates; its occurrence decreases with increasing elevation, precipitation, and latitude. Occasional in coniferous forests, frequent in broad-leaved forests on water-shedding sites. Symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria enhances the supply of available soil nitrogen. Characteristic of Moder and Mull humus forms. (IPBC)

References

Lathyrus palustris - marsh peavine

Lathyrus palustris is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

General: Perennial herb from a slender rhizome; stems flanged or winged, climbing, 30-100 cm tall.

Origin Status: Native

Hazards

Lathyrism  

Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised. .

Edible Uses

Seeds  

Cooked and eaten by Ojibwa. Cooked[105, 161, 179]. The fully grown seeds are shelled and cooked as a vegetable[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Young Leaves & Stems  

Cooked[177].

Phytochemicals

Lathyrus_Palustris_chem.jpg Lathyrus_Palustris_chem2.jpg [Bisby]

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].

Cultivation
A good plant for the bog or marsh garden, succeeding in wet soils[1, 200]. It is easily grown in any moderately good garden soil, preferring a position in full sun[200]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[188]. 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].

References

Lathyrus pratensis - meadow peavine

Lathyrus pratensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 4. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from Jul to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, self.The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
General: Perennial herb from a rhizome; stems decumbent to erect, 40-100 cm long, wingless, usually freely branched, usually long silky-hairy.

Habitat / Range
Mesic to dry meadows, clearings, roadsides and other disturbed areas in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; rare, scattered throughout southern BC; introduced from Eurasia.
Grassland, scrub and hedgerows, avoiding acid soils[17, 50]. Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Siberia and the Himalayas.

Origin Status: Exotic

Hazards
Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.

Other Uses

Repellent  

The plant is said to repel mice.
Medicinal Uses

Seeds  

The seeds are used as a resolvent in Spain[240].

Phytochemicals Lathyrus_Pratensis_chem.jpg Lathyrus_Pratensis_chem2.jpg [Bisby]

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].

Cultivation
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil but preferring a position in full sun[200]. Succeeds on wet soils. 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].

References

Lathyrus sphaericus - grass peavine

General: Annual herb; stems usually erect, 20-50 cm tall, slender, narrowly winged to wingless, glabrous.

Habitat / Range
Mesic meadows in the lowland zone; rare, but locally abundant in open Quercus garryana stands near Duncan; introduced from Eurasia.

Origin Status:
Exotic

Phytochemicals
Lathyrus_sphaericus_chem.jpg [Bisby]

References

Lathyrus sylvestris - narrow-leaved everlasting peavine

General: Perennial herb from a rhizome; stems climbing, 60-200 cm long, broadly winged, glabrous.

Habitat / Range
Mesic to dry thickets, clearings, roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; locally frequent garden escape in extreme SW BC and in SC BC; introduced from Eurasia.

Origin Status: Exotic.

Hazards

Dose-Related Toxicity to Sheep  

The toxic effects of mature, seed-bearing flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L cv Lathco) hay on sheep was studied in a feeding trial with 25 adult ewes. Five ewes were barren; 20 were in the last 10 w of pregnancy. The ewes were blocked by weight and reproductive status for assignment to treatment groups. Four groups of 5 ewes each were allotted to 1 of the following diets: 0% (controls), 35.0%, 52.5% or 70.0% flatpea (FP); and 1 group of 5 ewes was allotted to a diet of increasing levels of 17.5, 35.0, 52.5 and 70.0% FP. Flatpea hay was harvested in the mature, seed-bearing stage, pelleted, reground and incorporated into a basal (control) diet of 30% corn + 70% alfalfa by substitution of an appropriate amount of FP for alfalfa. The resulting diets were fed for up to 42 days. The toxic nature of FP was expressed by the following dose-related responses: Fluctuating reductions in feed intake upon initiation of diets containing 35% FP and above; occurrence of a potentially fatal, acute central nervous system syndrome at FP levels as low as 35%; and reduced weight gain at FP levels of 52.5% and above. A wasting condition was observed in 1 ewe fed 52.5% FP. Four of 5 ewes and 1 lamb fed increasing levels of FP developed acute poisoning. One of these ewes developed acute neurotoxicosis when consuming 52.5% FP; 3 other ewes and 1 40-d-old orphaned lamb developed neurotoxicosis upon raising the FP level to 70.0%. [Rowe&Ivie]

Phytochemicals
Drought-stressed flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.) plants from 8 to 22 weeks old were analysed for nitrogen, soluble protein and free amino acids. An increase in nitrogen and free amino acid concentrations and a decrease in soluble protein level were observed in roots of plants up to 16 weeks old. The cumulative concentration of free amino acids increased with drought stress. Tissue concentrations of 2, 4-diaminobutyric acid (1.6–2.6% of the dry weight) were highest in leaves. Levels increased steadily, nearly doubling, in leaves and stems between weeks 10 and 16. Levels in drought-stressed leaves were, on average, 11.9% higher than those of controls. Estimated concentrations of a mixture of 4-aminobutyric acid and an unknown amino acid were highest in stems, increased in this tissue with age and tended to increase in stems and leaves and decrease in roots in response to water deficit. Levels of the mixture of homoserine and another unidentified amino acid were not influenced by age or water status of the plants. Root concentrations of asparagine, arginine, glutamine, aspartate, and another prominent, unidentified amino acid increased with plant age and reached a peak at the time of flowering (14 to 18 weeks). Only the concentration of the unknown compound was elevated following drought stress. Concentrations of valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and methionine also increased during this period and were elevated in drought-stressed plants. Proline levels increased with plant age and drought stress, but proline accounted for only about 10% of the total free amino acids in the drought-stressed plants. [Shen&Foster]

Lathyrus_sylvestris_chem.jpg
Lathyrus_sylvestris_chem2.jpg [Bisby]

Nutritional Information

Fodder Nutritive Value: Flat pea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.) is suitable as 'pioneer plant' for the recultivation of slag heaps and mining areas for agricultural production. Flat pea contains between 20 and 30% crude protein in the dry matter and is richer in protein than other feed legumes. It is comparable to foxtail clover and lucerne as regards the content of amino acids (g/16 g N) and minerals. The digestibility of the crude nutrients of various dried products of flat pea was ascertained in seven experiments with five rams. The digestibility of the organic matter of the hay (before budding) was 66.2%, energy concentration 526 EFU/kg DM; 55% and 410 EFU/kg DM were ascertained for seed straw. The protein digestibility for hay and dried green fodder varied between 72.3 and 75.8%. Since there have been no reports lathyrogenous substances in the vegetative parts of flat pea, its use as green fodder or dried green fodder for feeding sheep, cattle or wild ruminants is possible.[CFVFP]

References