Chickling-vetch (Lathyrus cicera, Sp. Pl.: 730 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 730 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: SC. & E. Europe to Medit. and Pakistan

Description

Chickling-vetch, scientifically known as Lathyrus cicera, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. First documented in “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has captured the interest of botanists and horticulturists alike.

Endemic to a vast geographical range, Chickling-vetch thrives in regions spanning southern and eastern Europe to the Mediterranean basin and extends as far as Pakistan. It is a resilient species, well-adapted to a variety of climates and soil conditions, which has aided its proliferation across these diverse areas.

Belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae, Lathyrus cicera embodies the typical characteristics of its family, including its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which enhances soil fertility and promotes the growth of surrounding vegetation. The plant is an annual herb, usually flourishing in the warmer months and contributing to the ecological dynamics of meadows, fields, and other open spaces where it is commonly found.

Chickling-vetch is notable not only for its ecological benefits but also for its agricultural potential. In many regions, it is cultivated as a forage crop due to its high protein content, making it a valuable resource for livestock. Moreover, it is sometimes utilized in crop rotation systems to improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

In summary, Lathyrus cicera, or Chickling-vetch, is a plant of significant botanical and agricultural interest. Its adaptability, ecological benefits, and utility in sustainable agriculture underscore its importance within the realms of botany and farming.

Common Names

Deu: kicher-platterbse, kichererbsen-platterbse, rote platterbse
Dan: murstensrød fladbælg
Eng: red pea, chickling-vetch, flat-pod peavine, red vetchling, vetchling, chickling vetch
Por: chícharo-miudo, cisirão-branco
Spa: cicércula, galgana
Fra: gesse chiche, jarosse
Cat: guixó cigronenc
Ces: hrachor cizrnový
Swe: rödvial
Rus: china nutovaya
En: Chickling-vetch, Vetchling, Red vetchling, Flat-pod peavine, Red pea, Chickling Vetch, Flat-podded Vetchling, Flatpod Peavine, Lesser Chickpea
Ar: جلبان حمصي
Ca: Guixonera, Guixó cigronenc
Cs: Hrachor cizrnový
Da: Murstensrød fladbælg
Nl: Kekerlathyrus
Fi: Purppuranätkelmä
Fr: Gesse chiche, Jarosse, Gessette, Pois breton
De: Rote Platterbse, Kicher-Platterbse, Kichererbsen-Platterbse, Kleine Kichererbse
Hu: Csicserilednek
It: Cicerchia cicerchiella, Mechi
Oc: Arbelhas, Gairota
Fa: خلر نخودی
Pt: Chícharo-miudo, Cisirão-branco
Ru: China Nutovaya
Sk: Hrachor cícerový
Es: Cicércula, Galgana, Almorta del monte, Titarro
Sv: Rödvial
Uk: Чина нутова

Synonyms

• Cicercula cicera var. pilosa (Alef.)
• Lathyrus cicera var. genuinus (Rouy)
• Lathyrus siculus (Steud.)
• Lathyrus cicera f. angustifolius ((Rouy) Bolzon)
• Lathyrus cicera var. sub-bijugus (Cout.)
• Cicercula cicera ((L.) Alef.)
• Lathyrus dubius (Ten.)
• Cicercula anceps (Moench)
• Lathyrus cicera var. angustifolius (Rouy)
• Lathyrus cicera var. latifolius (Rouy)
• Lathyrus cicera var. tenuifolius (Foucaud & Simon)
• Lathyrus cicera erythrinus ((C.Presl) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Lathyrus erythrinus (C.Presl)
• Lathyrus aegeus (Davidov)
• Cicercula cicera var. parvula (Alef.)
• Cicercula cicera var. vulgaris (Alef.)
• Cicercula cicera var. coromandelica (Alef.)
• Cicercula cicera var. foveolata (Alef.)
• Lathyrus cicerinus (St.-Lag.)
• Cicercula cicera var. serotina (Alef.)
• Pisum rubrum (E.H.L.Krause)
• Lathyrus szowitsii (Boiss.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (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)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Madeira (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.

Flower

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 1, 2021 by José Ricardo Morales Poole (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2021 by Garcia Alfonso (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by etienne copeaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2021 by etienne copeaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by vincent sebert (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Mario Cannata (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Raúl (Este Madrid) (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356481)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:501638-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus cicera L.)

Specifications

Growth