Lathyrus tuberosus
Flowers of tuberous pea ( Lathyrus tuberosus )
The tubers flat pea ( Lathyrus tuberosus ), also called Knollige pea, is a species of the genus pea ( Lathyrus ) in the legume family ( Fabaceae ). The German trivial name of this crop is derived from nodules that this species is formed at the roots.
Description
The tubers pea grows as a perennial herbaceous plant has prostrate to climbing stems that are about 30 to 100 cm long. The alternate arranged leaves are pinnate. The lower leaflets are oblong- ovate single pair, the terminal leaflets are transformed as split into several small branches winding tendrils. The stipules are arrow - or semi- arrow-shaped.
The flowering period extends from June to July. In a einseitswendigen racemose inflorescence are three to eight flowers. The hermaphrodite flowers have a length of about 20 mm and are fünfzählig double perianth. The petals are bright pink - purple. By the rotated to the left boat the bloom is highly asymmetric.
Ecology
The tubers pea is a Hemikryptophyt. Their germination is hypogeous; the upper part of the radicle and the hypocotyl thicken to a first tuber; from the leaf axils of the cotyledons and leaves of the low deciduous primary axis drive up to 60 cm long, thin streamers of soil; this branch further and form especially at the nodes to tubers swelling roots; After three to four years, the tubers reach full size; they are then hazel large. The plant is rooted deep to 70 cm. It spreads vegetatively through the foothills and especially by their tubers on the branches.
The species has the chromosome number 2n = 14
The flowers are visited by bees of the genera Eucera, Megachile, Osmia, Trachusa and moths.
Occurrence and risk
Originally circulation area of the tuber pea is in Europe to western Asia. In North America it is naturalized.
The tubers pea growing on arable land and roadsides like on cohesive soils. It prefers calcareous soils, but is not limited to these. After Ellenberg the tubers pea is a Ordnungscharakterart plant community: bottom mild cereal Beikrautfluren ( Secalietalia ). After Erich Oberdorfer it is territorial in Central Europe characteristic species of Papaveri - Melandrietum noctiflorae ( Caucalidion Association).
In some northern German states Lathyrus tuberosus is on the red list of endangered plant species.
Ingredients
Especially sugar and starch. Furthermore, protein and fat.
Use
Previously, the tubers pea was cultivated in fields, today you can still find them as food plant most in gardens of lovers of old crops.
The nodules are cooked like potatoes or roasted chestnuts enjoyed. In many cases they also serve as a coffee substitute or as pig feed. They were reportedly also processed into cooking oil. Also specifies that had been won in the 16th century from the flower perfume.
In recent years, the tubers pea is often mixed with seed mixtures for Erstbegrünungen. As a legume, it contributes to soil improvement at ( Nitrogen ), the showy flowers also act as a splash of color in the landscape.
As a weed, the occupied with rose red butterfly flowers herbaceous plants can still be found on the edges of fields and remember the former use. Partial penetrates the tuber pea also in grain fields, where it is considered a " weed ".
Trivial names
In German-speaking countries have a number of trivial names to the earlier use out as peanut, pig nut, broad bean, Erdkastanie, basic pear, coffee beans ( resin).