Lathyrus linifolius

Lathyrus linifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Lathyrus
Species:
L. linifolius
Binomial name
Lathyrus linifolius
(Reichard) Bässler
Synonyms
  • Lathyrus macrorrhizus Wimm.
  • Lathyrus montanus Bernh.
  • Orobus linifolius Reichard
  • Orobus tuberosus "L., p.p."

Lathyrus linifolius is a species of pea, commonly called bitter vetch or heath pea. The name bitter vetch is also sometimes used for Vicia ervilia and also for Vicia orobus.

The tubers of L. linifolius were formerly used as an appetite suppressant in medieval Scotland, and this use has brought the plant to recent medical attention.