'''Lathyrus tuberosus''', also known as the 'Tuberous Pea', 'Earthnut Pea', or 'Aardaker', is a small,
climbing perennial plant, native in moist temperate parts of
Europe and western
Asia.
The plant is a trailer or weak climber, supported by
tendrils, growing to 1.2 m tall. The
leaves are pinnate, with two leaflets and a branched twining tendril at the apex of the petiole. Its
flowers are
hermaphroditic, pollinated by
bees. The plants can also spread vegetatively from the root system.
Cultivation and uses
It is occasionally grown as a
root vegetable for its edible
tuber. The sweet,
starchy tubers are edible cooked or raw. Although palatable and nutritious, the crop is hampered by low productivity.
The plant is attractive and susceptible to
slugs.
External links
★
Plants for a Future database