Lathyrus sativus
Grass pea
Lathyrus sativus, commonly known as the grass pea or chickling vetch, is a resilient legume valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils. Beyond its role in food security, this plant possesses significant medicinal potential, traditionally used to address nutritional deficiencies and various ailments across diverse cultures.
- Scientific name: Lathyrus sativus
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Lathyrus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lathyrus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Lathyrus sativus, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages. In Hindi, it is referred to as लतरी, while in Polish, it is called groszek siewny. In Basque, the plant is known as Aixkol, in Catalan it is named guixera, and in Finnish, it is commonly called peltonätkelmä.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | लतरी | Wikidata |
| pl | groszek siewny | Wikidata |
| eu | Aixkol | Wikidata |
| ca | guixera | Wikidata |
| fi | peltonätkelmä | Wikidata |
| hu | szegletes lednek | Wikidata |
| de | Saat-Platterbse | Wikidata |
| nn | Fôrskolm | Wikidata |
| mr | लाख | Wikidata |
| am | ጓያ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be specifically located within Great Britain. Its presence extends significantly into Middle Europe, where it is found in Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, the species is documented within the borders of Germany. Finally, its geographical range includes the territories of Czechia and Slovakia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Lathyrus sativus, is characterized by several distinct developmental stages and components that are used in various contexts. The life cycle begins with the emergence of young seedlings, which eventually develop into mature plants capable of producing fruit. The primary interest for medicinal and nutritional purposes lies in the grass pea seed, which serves as the fundamental unit of the plant's reproduction. As the plant matures, it produces ripe seeds that are harvested once they have reached full development. For long-term storage and consistent medicinal preparation, these are often processed into dry seeds, ensuring the seeds remain viable and potent for future use.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seedlings | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| grass pea seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ripe seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Lathyrus sativus has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 41 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid, ODAP, beta-ODAP, dencichine, methionine.
- Total chemicals
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 41
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| ODAP | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| beta-ODAP | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dencichine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methionine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,3-diaminopropionic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-amino-propanal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ABA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| GSH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lathyrus sativus has 2 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neurotoxic, Neurotoxin.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Neurotoxic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neurotoxin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lathyrus sativus has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include lathyrism, neurolathyrism, spastic paraparesis, Neurolathyrism, Water stress.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lathyrism | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neurolathyrism | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| spastic paraparesis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neurolathyrism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Water stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| muscular atrophies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurogenic bladder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salinity stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |