Lathyrus linifolius
bitter vetch
Overview
Lathyrus linifolius, bitter vetch or heath pea, is a low, tuberous perennial in the pea family, growing 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall from a knotted, edible underground tuber. Unlike many vetches it does not climb; the slender, winged stems are erect to sprawling and carry pinnate leaves of two to four pairs of narrow leaflets, ending in a short point rather than a tendril. In late spring it bears short-stalked clusters of three to six pea-like flowers, each 0.4-0.6 inch (10-16 mm) long, opening crimson to reddish-purple and fading through to blue and green as they age, so a single head can show several colors at once. Narrow seed pods follow, ripening from green to black. The small dark tubers have a sweet, liquorice-like taste and were once chewed and used to flavor drinks in parts of Scotland and Ireland. It grows in heaths, moors, open woods, and rough grassland on acidic, well-drained soils. Native to western and central Europe, it is a plant of unimproved, often upland ground and declines under heavy grazing or fertilizing.
Native Range
Native to western and central Europe, from Britain and Scandinavia south to Spain and Italy. It grows in heaths, moors, open woodland, hedge banks, and rough grassland on acidic, well-drained soils, mostly in upland and unimproved areas.Suggested Uses
Used in heathland and acid-grassland restoration, wildflower meadows on poor soils, and naturalistic plantings for pollinators. The nitrogen-fixing roots enrich poor ground, and the plant has a local history as a foraged tuber and flavoring.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowers in late spring and early summer, mainly April to June, with each cluster carrying three to six flowers that shift from crimson through purple to blue-green as they age. Bumblebees pollinate the pea-like flowers. Narrow pods ripen from green to black through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
crimson to purple-blueFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight