Common Name:

General Information

Lathyrus jepsonii is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant with stems that scramble over the ground and climb into the surrounding vegetation where they attach themselves by means of tendrils; the plant can grow 100 - 250cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

Although no specific records of toxicity have been found for this species, the seed and other parts of many Lathyrus species contain a toxic amino acid. It is produced in the plant at about the same time that the seed starts to develop. In small quantities the amino acid is innocuous, and the seeds of several Lathyrus species are eaten as a nutritious part of the diet. However, in larger quantities (the seed should form less than 30% of a balanced diet), it can cause a very serious disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism'. Symptoms appear as a paralysis of the muscles below the knees, pains in the back, followed by weakness and stiffness of the legs and progressive locomotive incoordination[, , ].

Botanical References

Range

Southwest N. America - California

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, along the sides of water courses and on sandy slopes; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally grow well when given a position in full sun in most, moderately fertile, well-drained soils[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young stems - harvested in the spring when around 8cm tall and eaten as greens[]. (ssp. californicus)

Medicinal

A poultice of the boiled plant is applied to swollen joints[]. (ssp. californicus)

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.