Lathyrus aphaca

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Yellow pea

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Vicieae
Genus: Lathyrus
Species: L. aphaca
Binomial name
Lathyrus aphaca
L.
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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.

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