Spanish vetchling
Lathyrus clymenum
Synonyms: Lathyrus alatus, Orobus alatus, Lathyrus montanus subsp. tenuifolius, Lathyros clymenus, Lathyrus articulatus, Lathyrus montanus var. tenuifolius, Clymenum uncinatum var. vulgare, Lathyrus macrorrhizus var. tenuifolius, Clymenum uncinatum var. purpureum, Lathyrus palustris, Lathyrus clymenum var. tenuifolius, Lathyrus articulatus var. latifolius, Lathyrus tuntasii, Lathyrus clymenum subsp. tenuifolius, Lathyrus vicioides, Lathyrus clymenum var. angustifolius, Lathyrus clymenum subvar. latifolius, Lathyrus articulatus subsp. clymenum, Orobus articulatus, Lathyrus articulatus subsp. typicus, Lathyrus articulatus var. tenuifolius, Lathyrus clymenum var. latifolius, Lathyrus tenuifolius, Clymenum tenuifolium, Clymenum uncinatum, Lathyrus articulatus var. ligusticus, Orobus clymenum, Pisum clymenum, Lathyrus tenuifolius var. clymenum, Lathyrus auriculatus, Clymenum alatum, Lathyrus cornutus, Lathyrus tataricus, Lathyrus articulatus subsp. euclymenum
Gallery
Botanical Description
Lathyrus clymenum, the Spanish vetchling or crimson pea, is a slender, climbing or scrambling annual herb of the Fabaceae native throughout the Mediterranean basin, from Iberia and North Africa east to the Aegean and the Levant. It grows 30-100 cm tall, with weak, four-winged, glabrous stems supported by twining tendrils that arise from the ends of the leaves. The pinnate leaves carry one or two pairs of narrowly lanceolate to linear leaflets 3-7 cm long, the rachis prolonged into a branched tendril, and prominent, semi-sagittate stipules at the base. The papilionaceous flowers are showy and bicoloured, 1.5-2 cm long, with a deep crimson or purple standard contrasting against a pale pink to lilac-blue keel and wings, borne singly or in pairs on long axillary peduncles in spring. The pods are linear-oblong, 4-7 cm long, smooth, and contain several angular, mottled seeds. The species occupies open phrygana, cornfields, fallows, and rocky slopes.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.