HerbWildAnnual

Lathyrus aphaca L.

Dokanni · Jangli matri

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Description

Lathyrus aphaca is a delicate annual climbing herb, usually 20–80 cm long, with weak climbing stems supported by surrounding vegetation. The stems are slender, angular, and often glabrous. True leaves are highly reduced into small scale-like structures, while the large leaf-like structures are actually modified stipules. Tendrils arise from the leaf axis and assist climbing. Flowers are bisexual, papilionaceous, bright yellow, and usually solitary or paired on long stalks. The flowers have five petals consisting of a large standard, two wings, and a keel. Fruits are elongated, flattened pods, usually 3–5 cm long, containing several rounded seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Reduced leaves. Large foliaceous stipules. Climbing habit with tendrils.

Floral

Yellow pea flowers. Solitary axillary flowers.

Fruit & Seed

Flat elongated pods.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Europe, Mediterranean region, Western Asia.

In Pakistan: Found in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: February–April Fruiting: April–May

Ethnobotany & Uses

Traditional Uses

Historically used as Fodder plant. Seeds contain Protein, Carbohydrates.

Ecological Importance

Nitrogen fixation. Supports soil fertility. Provides forage for livestock.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Lathyrus aphaca is unusual among legumes because normal leaves are replaced by large stipules and tendrils.