Bitter-vetch (Lathyrus linifolius, Feddes Repert. 82: 434 (1971))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Reichard) Bässler

Bibliography: Feddes Repert. 82: 434 (1971)

Year: 1971

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Algeria

Description

Bitter-vetch, known scientifically as Lathyrus linifolius, is a species of flowering plant within the Fabaceae family. This perennial herbaceous plant is highly regarded for its delicate beauty and has a notable distribution across Europe and Algeria.

Gaining scholarly recognition in 1971 through a reference in Feddes Repertorium (82: 434), this plant was first described by the botanist Reichard and later reclassified by Bässler. Lathyrus linifolius typically thrives in well-drained soils, commonly found in meadows and open woodlands where it displays its characteristic purple to violet flowers.

The foliage of the bitter-vetch consists of slender, linear leaves, which almost give the plant a grass-like appearance. This feature, combined with its beautiful blossoms, makes it an attractive component of natural landscapes. As a member of the Fabaceae family, the bitter-vetch also plays a role in nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil and supporting surrounding plant life.

In traditional practices, parts of the plant have been utilized for various purposes. The tubers of Lathyrus linifolius were notably consumed by ancient cultures, valued for their nutritional benefits and believed to have mood-enhancing properties.

Whether admired for its ecological benefits or its simple beauty, bitter-vetch remains a fascinating subject for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Worthy of its place in the biodiverse ecosystems of Europe and Algeria, this resilient plant continues to intrigue and inspire those who encounter it.

Common Names

Deu: berg-platterbse, berg platterbse
Dan: krat-fladbælg
Eng: bitter-vetch, bitter vetch, bitter vetchling
Cat: guixó de muntanya
Swe: gökärt, syylälinnunherne
Nld: knollathyrus
Nno: knollerteknapp
Nob: knollerteknapp
Fin: syylälinnunherne
Sme: giegasáhpal
Ita: cicerchia montana
Fra: gesse des montagnes, gesse à feuilles de lin
Cym: pys y coed, pysen y coed, pysen y coed cnapwreiddiog, ytbys y coed, ytbysen y coed
En: Bitter-vetch, Bitter vetch, Heath pea, Bitter Vetchling
Az: Kətanyarpaq gülülcə
Be: Lathyrus montanus, Чына льналістая
Bg: Планинско секирче
Ca: Guixó de muntanya, Guixó muntanyenc, Veça de muntanya
Cs: Hrachor horský
Da: Krat-Fladbælg
Nl: Knollathyrus
Et: Lathyrus macrorhhizus, Lathyrus montanus, Mägi-seahernes, Orobus linifolius
Fi: Syylälinnunherne
Fr: Gesse des montagnes, Gesse à feuilles de lin
De: Berg-Platterbse, Berg Platterbse
Hu: Hegyi lednek
It: Cicerchia montana
Se: Giegasáhpal
No: Knollerteknapp
Nb: Knollerteknapp
Nn: Knollerteknapp
Pl: Groszek skrzydlasty, Groszek skrzydlaty, Lathyrus montanus
Ru: Чина льнолистная
Sk: Hrachor ľanolistý
Sv: Gökärt, Gökört, Lathyrus montanus, Syylälinnunherne
Cy: Ytbysen y coed, Pys y Coed, Pysen y Coed, Pysen y Coed Cnapwreiddiog, Ytbys y Coed

Synonyms

• Orobus tuberosus var. albiflorus (Alef.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. pyrenaicus ((L.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Orobus bulbosus (Stokes)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. pyrenaicus ((L.) Godr.)
• Orobus tuberosus var. major (Merino)
• Lathyrus montanus var. subunijugus (Ulbr.)
• Orobus divaricatus (Lapeyr.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. linifolius ((Reichard) Asch.)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. latifolius (C.Schust.)
• Orobus prostratus (Host)
• Orobus macrorrhizus var. pyrenaicus ((L.) Godr. & Gren.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. obtusifolius ((Martrin-Donos) Beck)
• Orobus tuberosus var. obtusifolius (Martrin-Donos)
• Orobus tuberosus var. aphillus (Lej.)
• Lathyrus linifolius var. varifolius ((Martrin-Donos) P.D.Sell)
• Lathyrus linifolius var. montanus ((Bernh.) Bässler)
• Orobus tuberosus var. pyrenaicus ((L.) DC.)
• Lathyrus linifolius f. pyrenaicus ((L.) Bässler)
• Lathyrus montanus f. emarginatus (Hertzsch)
• Orobus linifolius (Reichard)
• Lathyrus montanus f. varifolius ((Martrin-Donos) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Lathyrus montanus subsp. divaricatus ((Lapeyr.) Arcang.)
• Lathyrus montanus f. unidentatus (A.Christ.)
• Orobus tuberosus var. prostratus ((Host) Posp.)
• Orobus pyrenaicus (L.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. angustissimus ((Rouy) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus ((Dulac) St.-Lag.)
• Orobus tuberosus var. latifolius (Bastard)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. variifolius (Martrin-Donos)
• Menkenia tuberosa (Bubani)
• Orobus tuberosus var. divaricatus ((Lapeyr.) Ser.)
• Orobus luteus (L.)
• Pisum montanum ((Bernh.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Pisum luteum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Lathyrus montanus f. variegatus ((Rouy) Beck)
• Lathyrus linnaei (Rouy)
• Orobus pyrenaeus (Philippe)
• Orobus tuberosus var. unijugus (Willk.)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus f. rothii (Rouy)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. divaricatus ((Lapeyr.) Godr.)
• Orobus graminifolius (Becker)
• Orobus tuberosus var. linifolius ((Reichard) Boenn.)
• Lathyrus montanus f. pyrenaicus ((L.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Orobus tuberosus var. tenuifolius ((Roth) Willd.)
• Lathyrus montanus subsp. pyrenaicus ((L.) Arcang.)
• Lathyrus rothii (Rouy)
• Lathyrus montanus f. obtusifolius ((Martrin-Donos) Gams)
• Menkenia lutea (Bubani)
• Lathyrus montanus f. albiflorus ((Alef.) Beck)
• Lathyrus linnaei var. orientalis ((Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Simpson)
• Orobus tuberosus var. angustifolius (Mérat)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. varifolius (Martrin-Donos)
• Lathyrus linifolius f. pubescens ((Beck) Bässler)
• Lathyrus linifolius f. emarginatus ((Hertzsch) Bässler)
• Orobus plukenetii (Lapeyr.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. divaricatus ((Lapeyr.) Fiori)
• Lathyrus montanus var. pubescens (Beck)
• Orobus tuberosus (L.)
• Lathyrus montanus f. prostratus ((Host) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. prostratus ((Host) Wohlf.)
• Lathyrus rothii var. angustissimus (Rouy)
• Orobus luteus var. orientalis (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)
• Lathyrus montanus var. latifolius (C.Schust.)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. angustissimus (Godr.)
• Lathyrus montanus (Bernh.)
• Orobus macrorrhizus (Dulac)
• Lathyrus macrorrhizus subvar. variegatus (Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Northwest European R (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

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

Habit

Taken Jul 6, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2020 by Emmanuel Cosson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by 67terzi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 6, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Cricri irka (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Marie Marie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by Antoine Guignand (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Andreas Sverke (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Andreas Sverke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by 67terzi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 14, 2021 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Richard van Vugt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by 67terzi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2020 by Enilorac Leon (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by geraldine biot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2022 by Laurent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2021 by Nono boubou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Genghis Attenborough (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356393)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:501820-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Bassler)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 2