Round-seed vetchling (Lathyrus sphaericus, Observ. Bot. 3: 39 (1783))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Retz.

Bibliography: Observ. Bot. 3: 39 (1783)

Year: 1783

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lathyrus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: EC. Europe to Medit. and W. Nepal, Trop. African Mts.

Description

Round-seed vetchling, scientifically named Lathyrus sphaericus, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae.

This species was first documented in the historical botanical literature “Observationes Botanicae” in 1783, authored by Anders Jahan Retzius. Native to a broad geographic range, the round-seed vetchling thrives from eastern central Europe stretching through the Mediterranean and extending into western Nepal. Beyond these regions, it can also be found in the mountainous areas of Tropical Africa, showcasing its adaptability to various climates and altitudes.

The plant is notable for its spherical seeds, a distinctive characteristic that contributes to its common name. As a member of the Fabaceae family, round-seed vetchling shares a close relationship with many other legumes, playing a crucial ecological role by contributing to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Lathyrus sphaericus typically grows in habitats that benefit from moderate to ample sunlight and well-drained soils, flourishing in diverse environments. It is a valuable species for both natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes, supporting biodiversity and soil health.

In summary, Lathyrus sphaericus or round-seed vetchling is a versatile and significant plant within the Fabaceae family. Its wide native range and ecological contributions underscore its importance in various environmental contexts across multiple continents.

Common Names

Dan: enblomstret fladbælg
Eng: grass pea, round-seed vetchling, slender wild-pea, round-seeded vetchling, grass vetchling, round pea, slender wild pea, grass peavine
Deu: kugelsamige platterbse
Cat: guixó esfèric
Swe: vårvial
Fra: gesse à graines sphériques, gesse sphérique
Nob: kuleflatbelg
Nno: kuleskolm
Ita: cicerchia sferica
En: Round-seed vetchling, Slender wild-pea, Grass pea, Round-seeded Vetchling, Grass Vetchling, Round Pea, Slender Wild Pea, Grass peavine, Spring vetchling
Ar: دحريج (دُحريج)، جلبان (جِلبان، جُلُبان)
Ca: Guixó esfèric
Da: Enblomstret fladbælg
Fi: Tiilinätkelmä
Fr: Gesse à graines sphériques, Gesse sphérique, Gesse à graines rondes, Gesse à fruits ronds
De: Kugelsamige Platterbse
He: טופח כדורי
It: Cicerchia sferica
Nb: Kuleflatbelg
Nn: Kuleskolm
Sv: Vårvial

Synonyms

• Lathyrus angulatus subsp. sphaericus ((Retz.) Mateo & Figuerola)
• Lathyrus sphaericus var. pilosulus (Murb.)
• Orobus coccineus (Mill.)
• Lathyrus sphaericus var. pilosus (Ser.)
• Lathyrus gerardii (Roth)
• Orobus sphaericus ((Retz.) Philippe)
• Lathyrus sphaericus var. stenophyllus (Boiss.)
• Lathyrus coccineus (All.)
• Orobus coccineus var. unijugis (Ser.)
• Lathyrus sphaericus var. neapolitanus (Ten.)
• Lathyrus controversus (Loret & Barrandon)
• Lathyrus sphaericus var. genuinus (Rouy)
• Lathyrus nervatus (C.Presl)
• Lathyrus angulatus (L.)
• Lathyrus setifolius (Gouan)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uganda (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Mariate__ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Rojo Florencio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2020 by Lugifa Lugifa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Stéphanie Renard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2015 by kaktushorst (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2021 by Martine CHOCHOI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

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

Taken May 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Catherine LEGRAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − ambre VERDON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − P. Gourdain (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 30, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

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

Other

Taken May 31, 1850 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Apr 25, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu Sinet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu Sinet (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 14, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Catherine MAHYEUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 5, 2016 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (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:502014-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5356680)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lathyrus sphaericus Retz.)

Specifications

Growth