Lathyrus aphaca
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Yellow pea | ||||||||||||||||||
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Lathyrus aphaca L. |
Lathyrus aphaca is a legume known as the yellow pea or yellow vetch. Some consider it to be a weed, particularly when found non-indigenously. It acclimates best to dry places, such as sand, gravel, and chalk, and requires a well-drained habitat.
The seed of the pea contains an amino acid which can in sufficiently large quantities be toxic and cause a serious nervous system disease known as lathyrism. However, in small quantities, the toxic qualities have no negative effect, and can even be considered nutritious.