Plant of the Day
Sunday 5 September 2021
In the World Garden at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Hyde Hall, Essex, UK, there were some different species of pea flowering. The perennial, Lathyrus tuberosus (earth chestnut, Dutch mice, earth-nut pea, Fyfield pea) was covered in pink flowers and has edible tubers. Meanwhile, the scrambling annual, Lathyrus sativus (Indian pea, chickling vetch, dogtooth pea, grass pea, Riga pea) had blue flowers but the resulting seeds contain a toxic amino acid, which in large quantities may cause a potentially fatal disease called lathyrism. They are said to be edible if they are soaked overnight in lime water and then boiled but it is suggested that it is best to wear gloves and wash hands after handling them so best to be cautious. I think admiring the flowers is enough fo me!
Jill Raggett
