Earth-chestnut (Lathyrus tuberosus, Sp. pl. 2:732. 1753)

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:732. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: True

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Iran, Algeria

Description

The Earth-chestnut, scientifically known as Lathyrus tuberosus, is a distinctive species belonging to the Fabaceae family. This perennial plant is noteworthy not just for its botanical characteristics, but also for its broad geographical range and its unique uses.

Lathyrus tuberosus can be recognized by its slender stems and delicate, vibrant flowers that add a splash of color to its native habitats. The plant thrives across a diverse range of regions, extending from Europe through Siberia and reaching as far as Iran and Algeria. This widespread distribution showcases the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions and terrains.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Earth-chestnut is its edible tubers. These tubers, which are small, round, and chestnut-like in appearance, have been utilized historically as a food source. Rich in nutrients, they offer a starchy and somewhat sweet flavor, making them a unique addition to the diets of several cultures within its growing regions.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, Lathyrus tuberosus has been cited in botanical literature as early as 1753, with its first recorded description by the eminent scientist Carl Linnaeus in “Species Plantarum” (Sp. pl. 2:732. 1753). This early documentation underscores the significance of the plant in scientific studies and its long-standing recognition in the field of botany.

The ability of the Earth-chestnut to fix nitrogen in the soil, a common trait among members of the Fabaceae family, enhances its ecological value. By improving soil fertility, it aids in sustainable agriculture and supports the health of surrounding plant communities.

Grown both wild and cultivated, the Earth-chestnut remains a fascinating subject for botanists, ecologists, and agriculturalists alike. Its combination of aesthetic appeal, nutritional value, and ecological benefits make Lathyrus tuberosus a remarkable species with enduring importance across its extensive range.

Common Names

Eng: earth-chestnut, earth-nut pea, earthnut-pea, groundnut peavine, tuberous pea, tuberous sweetpea, tuberous vetchling, tuberous-pea, tuberous-vetch, earth chestnut, earth-nut peavine, earth-nut vetchling, earthnut pea, fyfield pea, tuberous sweet pea, tuberous vetch
Lit: gumbinis pelėžirnis
Dan: knold-fladbælg
Deu: knollen-platterbse, knollenplatterbse, knollige platterbse, erdnuss platterbse, knollen platterbse
Nld: aardaker
Spa: arveja tuberosa
Lav: bumbuļu dedestiņa
Fra: gesse tubéreuse
Cat: guixó tuberós
Ces: hrachor hluznatý, hrachor hlíznatý
Nob: jordflatbelg
Nno: jordskolm
Swe: knölvial, mukulanätkelmä, ardacker
Fin: mukulanätkelmä
Est: seapähkel
Ita: cicerchia tuberosa
Cym: utbysen oddfynog, ytbys cnapiog, ytbysen gnapiog
En: Earth-chestnut, Earthnut-pea, Groundnut peavine, Tuberous-pea, Tuberous-vetch, Tuberous sweetpea, Ground nut pea, Tuberous Pea, Earth-nut Pea, Tuberous Vetchling, Earth Chestnut, Earthnut Pea, Fyfield Pea, Tuberous Vetch, Earth-nut peavine, Earth-nut vetchling, Tuberous sweet pea
Hy: Տափոլոռ պալարակիր
Be: Чына клубневая
Bg: Грудково секирче
Ca: Guixera borda, Guixó tuberós
Zh: 玫红山黧豆
Cs: Hrachor hlíznatý, Hrachor hluznatý
Da: Knold-fladbælg
Nl: Aardaker, Aardeikel, Aardkastanje, Aardmuis, Grondboon, Grondpeer, Muizen met staartjes, Varkensnoot, Zeugboon
Eo: Tubera latiro
Et: Seapähkel
Fi: Mukulanätkelmä
Fr: Gesse tubéreuse, Gland de terre, Macusson, Anotte, Gland-de-terre, Truffe de Lorraine
Ka: Თერო
De: Knollenplatterbse, Erdnuss-Platterbse, Knollen-Platterbse, Knollige Platterbse, Erdnuss Platterbse, Knollen Platterbse, Erdnuß-Platterbse
Hu: Mogyorós lednek
It: Cicerchia tuberosa
Ky: Чымылдык
Lv: Bumbuļu dedestiņa
Lt: Gumbinis pelėžirnis
Nb: Jordflatbelg
Nn: Jordskolm
Os: Теро
Fa: خلر غده‌دار
Pl: Groszek bulwiasty
Ru: Чина клубненосная
Sk: Hrachor hľuznatý
Es: Arveja tuberosa, Alverja tuberosa
Sv: Knölvial, Mukulanätkelmä, Ardacker
Uk: Чина бульбиста
Cy: Ytbysen gnapiog, Utbysen Oddfynog, Ytbys Cnapiog

Synonyms

• Lathyrus attenuatus (Viv.)
• Pisum tuberosum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Lathyrus festivus (Sennen)
• Lathyrus tuberculatus (Gaudin)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yakutskiya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 9, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2018 by Markus Kud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2018 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by fabien vanderpotte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Mairtin Buth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Купрюшкин Денис (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by Eri Sky (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by Eri Sky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by isabel maria sancho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Andrei Contiu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Corine OOSTERLEE (©)

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by Émile Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by gustavo gomes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356522)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:502065-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus tuberosus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.6

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 4