Austrian winterpea (Lathyrus hirsutus, Sp. Pl.: 732 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 732 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, N. Africa to C. Asia and W. Himalaya

Description

Austrian winterpea, scientifically known as Lathyrus hirsutus, is a remarkable flowering plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. This resilient species was first documented in 1753 by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus, as noted in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum.”

This hardy plant has a broad distribution, thriving across various regions of Europe, extending into North Africa, Central Asia, and reaching as far as the Western Himalayas. The extensive area of growth highlights its adaptability to diverse climates and environmental conditions.

The Austrian winterpea is noted for its ability to flourish in cooler seasons, which makes it a valuable crop for cover and forage during the winter months. Its flowers, while not overly showy, are an appealing complement to the verdant foliage, often adorned with fine, hair-like structures that add to its botanical charm. The plant’s ability to fix nitrogen in the soil makes it indispensable in agricultural rotations, aiding in soil fertility and structure.

In agricultural contexts, Austrian winterpea is often utilized for its multiple benefits. It serves as a nutritious forage for livestock, providing essential nutrients during the colder months when other forage might be scarce. Additionally, it contributes significantly to soil health by preventing erosion and improving soil organic matter content.

Gardeners and farmers alike appreciate Austrian winterpea for its hardiness, ecological benefits, and contribution to sustainable farming practices. Whether used for cover cropping, forage, or simply as an attractive element in a diverse planting scheme, Lathyrus hirsutus stands out as a plant of considerable agricultural and environmental value.

Common Names

Eng: austrian winterpea, caley pea, caley-pea, hairy vetchling, rough-pea, singletary-pea, winterpea, hairy pea, rough pea, singletary pea
Deu: behaarte platterbse, rauhhaarige platterbse, behaartfrüchtige platterbse, rauhaarige platterbse
Dan: lådden fladbælg
Lit: plaukuotasis pelėžirnis
Nld: ruige lathyrus
Ita: cicerchia irsuta, cicerchia pelosa
Fra: gesse hérissée, gesse velue
Spa: guija velluda
Cat: guixó hirsut
Ces: hrachor chlpatý
Est: karvane seahernes
Swe: karvanätkelmä, luddvial
Fin: karvanätkelmä
Nob: lodneflatbelg
Nno: lodneskolm
Lav: skarb
Cym: ytbys blewog, ytbysen flewgodog, ytbysen flewog
En: Austrian winterpea, Hairy vetchling, Rough-pea, Winterpea, Caley-pea, Singletary-pea, Caley pea, Singletary Vetchling, Singletary pea, Rough Pea, Hairy Pea, Singletary Peavine, Single-tary Pea, Singleton Pea
Ar: دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان), جلبان مشعر
Bg: Влакнесто секирче
Ca: Guixó hirsut
Cs: Hrachor chlupatý, Hrachor chlpatý
Da: Lådden fladbælg
Nl: Ruige lathyrus
Et: Karvane seahernes
Fi: Karvanätkelmä
Fr: Gesse hérissée, Gesse velue, “Gesse hérissée, Gesse hirsute”, Gesse à gousses velues, Gesse hirsute, Pois gras
De: Rauhhaarige Platterbse, Behaarte Platterbse, Rauhaarige Platterbse, Behaartfrüchtige Platterbse
He: טופח שעיר
It: Cicerchia irsuta, Cicerchia pelosa
Lv: Skarb
Lt: Plaukuotasis pelėžirnis
Nb: Lodneflatbelg
Nn: Lodneskolm
Fa: خلر کرکی
Pl: Groszek kosmatostrąkowy
Es: Guija velluda, Alverja peluda
Sv: Luddvial, Karvanätkelmä
Tr: Tüylü mürdümük
Uk: Чина шорстка
Cy: Ytbysen flewog, Ytbys Blewog, Ytbysen Flewgodog

Synonyms

• Orobus lathyroides (Hablitz)
• Lathyrus hirtus (Lam.)
• Pisum hirsutum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Lathyrus hirsutus var. ecirrhosus (Schur)
• Lastila hirsuta ((L.) Alef.)
• Lastila hirsuta var. annua (Alef.)
• Lastila hirsuta var. biennis (Alef.)
• Lathyrus coerulescens (Boiss. & Reut.)
• Lathyrus hirsutus var. brevipedunculatus (Cout.)
• Orobus hirsutus var. glabriusculus (Ser.)
• Lathyrus cicer (Hablitz)
• Orobus glabratus (Nyman)
• Lathyrus hirsutus f. brevipedunculatus (Cout.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 16, 2020 by Valérie Maraval (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2018 by juan bosco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Flore BESIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Victoria F. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2009 by Rinusz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 22, 2014 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2018 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Victoria F. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2009 by Rinusz (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 30, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2007 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:501755-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356382)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus hirsutus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.2

Ph minimum: 5.8

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6