Lathyrus clymenum, Commonly known as pelailla, pea o purple cicercha, is a climbing plant from the Fabaceae family that stands out for its ornamental and ecological value. Its attractive colors, its ability to adapt to different soils and environments, and its history of traditional use in the Mediterranean basin make it an excellent choice for both urban and rural gardens, especially for those looking to cover walls, fences, or hard-to-reach areas with beautiful, live vegetation.
Taxonomy and common names
Lathyrus clymenum It belongs to the Fabaceae family, subfamily Faboideae, tribe Fabeae, and the genus LathyrusThe species was described by Linnaeus. It is known as Spanish vetchling In English and, in the Hispanic world, by a wide variety of popular names: pelailla, arvejana, arvejón, chÃcharos menores, guijas, peas silvestres, garbaneta, conejitos, guiantera, presulillo or présule zorrero, among others, reflecting its roots and presence in several regions.
Morphological description and botanical characteristics
- Plant type: An annual herb, although it can sometimes behave as a biennial. It climbs thanks to its branched tendrils.
- High jump: It develops from the 30 cm to approximately 1 meter in heightdepending on the growing conditions.
- Tallos: Hairless, winged, creeping or partially ascending, with wings between 0,4 and 3 mm wide. Branched at the base.
- Leaves: The lower leaves may be reduced to phyllodes and lack leaflets and stipules (winged petiole). The middle and upper leaves have 2 to 8 (usually 2-5) pairs of linear or elliptic-lanceolate leaflets, between 2 and 6 cm long and 3-11 mm wide. The leaves end in a branched tendril that allows them to entangle on supports. Stipules of variable shapes, frequently ovate-lanceolate, with a semi-hastate or semi-sagittate base.
- FloresOf great beauty and a notable contrast with the foliage, they are hermaphroditic, pentamerous, actinomorphic, and papilionaceous. They are produced singly or in groups of up to three in axillary inflorescences; they measure between 3 and 15 mm. The standard is red, purple, or carmine, and can acquire violet or pink hues, sometimes turning blue-lilac, especially when dried. The calyx has equal teeth, shorter than the tube. The wings of the standard are bluish or lilac. The corolla is highlighted by two finger-like humps at the base of the standard blade.
- Fruit: It is a legume (pod) 3–8 cm long and 5–12 mm wide. It is obovate or elliptical, glabrous, brown when ripe, with prominent grooves and two distinct ventral keels. The pod contains 4–12 seeds.
- Seeds: Rounded or ellipsoid, smooth, and brown, sometimes mottled. They measure between 5 and 7,5 mm long and 4 to 6,5 mm wide. The protein content of the seeds is very high compared to other wild legumes.
- Root: It has a shallow but efficient root system in poor soils, typical of many legumes.
- number of chromosomes: 2n = 14.
Comparison and internal taxonomy
Lathyrus clymenum It has sometimes been confused with related species such as lathyrus cicera o Lathyrus articulatus. Its differentiation lies in the color of the floral wings (blue or lilac in L. clymenum, white-pink in L. articulatus) and by the presence of an awned style or not, as well as by the width of the leaflets (wider in L. clymenum).
| Feature | Lathyrus clymenum | Lathyrus articulatus |
|---|---|---|
| Wings, coloration | blue or lilac | white pink |
| Style | edged | non-ridged |
| Ventral margin of the legume | canaliculate | canaliculate and keeled |
| Leaflets | wide | narrow |
Geographic distribution and natural habitat
Lathyrus clymenum It is widespread in the Mediterranean region, being especially abundant in the Iberian Peninsula and island areas such as the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. It is also found in North Africa and much of southern Europe. It is common in ecosystems such as undergrowth, grasslands at the edge of crops, thickets, rocky areas and slopes, living from sea level to 1500 meters above sea level. It's commonly seen along roadsides, abandoned fields, and lands with rocky outcrops where other plants often struggle to survive.
It adapts to a wide variety of substrates, making it a hardy and versatile species for sustainable gardening or landscaping in areas with poor soils.
Life cycle, flowering and fruiting
Lathyrus clymenum It presents its maximum splendor during the warmer months, with its flowering period between February and JulyThis long flowering window allows for multiple pollination cycles and abundant seed production, which favors their dispersal and persistence in different environments.
It is important to keep in mind that the plant is sensitive to wind and periods of extreme drought, which can reduce flower or fruit production in crops without plant protection.
Ecology and adaptations
- Varied habitat: It grows both in humid and cool places and in areas of relative aridity, it resists dry and calcareous soils, and tolerates sunny or semi-shaded exposures.
- Phytosociological behavior: It is a differential part of the alliance Hyparrhenion hirtae (medium-sized xerophilous grasslands). It shares habitat with species such as Allium subvillosum, Andropogon distachyos, Heteropogon contortus and other grasses or herbaceous plants of the Mediterranean area.
- Adaptations: The terminal tendril allows easy climbing over bushes, rocks or near crops, favoring the colonization of vertical spaces and protection from small herbivores.
- Dispersion: Seed dispersal is local, as the dry pods tend to split open and release the seeds by mechanical bursting, reaching distances of around 0,3 meters in their immediate surroundings.
Ecological relationships, pollination and associated fauna
The flowers of Lathyrus clymenum They are pollinated primarily by bees and other pollinating insects, which are attracted by their color and nectar. This relationship promotes local biodiversity and contributes to the maintenance of plant communities rich in pollinators. Thanks to its prolonged flowering period, the plant also serves as an important food source for butterflies and other insects for many months of the year.
Traditional and current uses
- Ornamental: Highly valued in gardening for covering walls, pergolas, fences and walls thanks to its rapid growth, green foliage and brightly colored flowers.
- Culinary: The seeds have been traditionally used as food in the Mediterranean basin, especially in Greece where they are the main ingredient of Santorini bean, a typical local puree. The seeds stand out for their high protein content (up to 25%) and dietary fiber (about 26%), with low fat content.
- DyeingThe flowers have been used to dye wool a light yellow using alum as a mordant. This traditional use is still present in rural communities as part of Mediterranean ethnobotanical knowledge.
During times of scarcity, the seeds of Lathyrus clymenum They were used as survival flour after wars or other food crises, although it is recommended to avoid excessive consumption due to the possibility of lathyrism (a neurological disorder caused by very high and prolonged consumption of certain species of the genus Lathyrus).
Nutritional and health properties
The seeds are rich in antioxidant polyphenols, whose functions in the body include protection against oxidative stress and cellular aging. Several studies have shown that Lathyrus clymenum can contain a higher amount of polyphenols than regular legumes such as chickpeas or soybeans, which enhances their nutritional value for balanced diets and as a source of natural antioxidants.
His high protein and fiber content making it ideal for human consumption and for improving poor agricultural soils, since, like all legumes, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with soil bacteria, enriching and fertilizing the substrate for subsequent crops.
History and cultivation
In the region of Santorini, Greece, Lathyrus clymenum It has been cultivated uninterruptedly for millennia, with archaeological evidence of its use as early as 1600 BC. The uniqueness of the volcanic environment, the mineral soil and the specific climate of the area have enhanced the gastronomic value of the species, elevating the Santorini fava to the status of a protected product in the European Union.
Historically, the plant has grown wild in other Mediterranean territories and the Iberian Peninsula, although in some cases it was used as fodder or for human and animal consumption. In times of scarcity, its cultivation was intensified due to its hardiness and abundant seed production.
Tips for growing Lathyrus clymenum as a climber
- Location: It prefers well-drained soils and sunny locations, although it tolerates semi-shade. To boost its growth, you can consult Other tips on climbing plants.
- Siembra: It can be sown directly in autumn or late winter, depending on the local climate. The seeds are lightly buried and germinate easily.
- Irrigation: Requires moderate watering, especially at the beginning of the growing season, avoiding excess stagnant moisture.
- Support: It is recommended to place tutors, trellises or plant next to walls and fences to take advantage of its climbing habit.
- Maintenance: Remove dry parts at the end of the cycle and facilitate spontaneous reseeding to ensure new plants each year.
- Propagation: Mainly by seed; short-distance natural dispersal ensures the species' continued existence in gardens and natural spaces.
- Resistance: It tolerates poor soils and relative drought conditions well, making it ideal for xeriscaping or areas with limited irrigation.
Ecological considerations and sustainability
Lathyrus clymenumAs a leguminous plant, it contributes significantly to soil improvement thanks to its nitrogen-fixing capacity, helping to restore soil fertility and facilitating organic farming. Its hardiness and low maintenance requirements make it ideal for sustainable gardening projects, slope revegetation, and erosion control.
Furthermore, the diversity of pollinators and insects it attracts enhances the ecological balance of the environment where it is grown, benefiting the entire ecosystem of the garden or natural space.
Toxicity and precautions for use
As with many species of the genus Lathyrus, excessive and prolonged consumption of the seeds can cause lathyrism, a neurological disease. However, its occasional use, especially in traditional culinary applications, does not pose any significant risks. It is recommended not to overuse it in food and to avoid continuous administration in large quantities.
Curiosities and ethnobotanical notes
- Its specific name, clymenum, alludes to a supposed similarity with the ancient genre Clymenia, although botanically there are clear differences.
- In some regions, the flowers have inspired local legends due to their intense color and ability to attract butterflies and bees.
- It is one of the oldest wild legumes cultivated in the eastern Mediterranean, with archaeological remains of its use in ancient Greece.
- Due to its resilience, it is used in environmental restoration projects and to revegetate degraded areas, in addition to serving as a refuge and food for invertebrate fauna.