Fodder-pea (Lathyrus annuus, Demonstr. Pl.: 20 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Demonstr. Pl.: 20 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to W. & C. Asia

Description

Fodder-pea, known scientifically as Lathyrus annuus, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. Initially described and named by the prominent botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this species holds a substantial presence geographically, flourishing from the Macaronesian archipelago through the Mediterranean region, and extending to Western and Central Asia.

A hardy annual, Fodder-pea is widely recognized for its utility in agriculture, especially as a fodder crop for livestock. It thrives in a variety of climates, particularly favoring temperate zones. The plant’s resilience and nutritional value make it a critical component in sustaining animal health, playing a pivotal role in the rural agrarian economies where it is cultivated.

Botanically, Lathyrus annuus is distinguished by its slender, vining growth habit, often stretching across the ground or climbing nearby structures with its delicate tendrils. It features green, linear leaves and produces small, pea-like flowers that can range in color but are typically seen in subtle hues of yellow. These blooms eventually give way to pods, containing seeds that are invaluable both as a food source for animals and in crop rotation systems for soil health.

Through centuries of adaptation and cultivation, the Fodder-pea remains a versatile and reliable plant. Its continuous usage underlines the species’ importance not only in traditional agricultural practices but also in contemporary sustainable farming methodologies. The Fodder-pea’s historical and ongoing contributions to agronomy underscore its enduring significance in diverse ecological regions.

Common Names

Deu: einjährige platterbse
Eng: fodder pea, annual vetchling, cicércula anual, fodder-pea, annual yellow vetchling
Spa: cicércula anual
Swe: fodervial
Fra: gesse annuelle
Cat: guixa borda
Ces: hrachor ro
Est: suvik-seahernes
Cym: ytbys tir âr, ytbysen tir âr
En: Fodder-pea, Annual vetchling, Fodder Pea, Cicércula anual, Annual Yellow Vetchling
Ar: دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان)
Ca: Guixa borda
Cs: Hrachor ro
Et: Suvik-seahernes
Fr: Gesse annuelle
De: Einjährige Platterbse, Jährige Platterbse
He: טופח חד-שנתי
It: Cicerchia pallida
Es: Cicércula anual, Alverja anual
Sv: Fodervial
Cy: Ytbys Tir Âr, Ytbysen Tir Âr

Synonyms

• Lathyrus luteus (Moench)
• Lathyrus annuus var. angustifolius (Rouy)
• Lathyrus chius (Boiss. & Orph.)
• Lathyrus annuus var. genuinus (Rouy)
• Lathyrus frenchii (Sennen)
• Pisum flavum (E.H.L.Krause)
• Lathyrus hierosolymitanus var. grandiflorus (Boiss.)
• Lathyrus annuus var. latifolius (Rouy)
• Lathyrus trachyspermus (Webb ex Rodr.)
• Lathyrus miniatus (Candargy)
• Lathyrus leptophyllus (Maly)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 19, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2020 by Grimont Catherine (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 3, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:501577-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356361)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus annuus L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 7