Lathyrus sativus

Lathyrus sativus, also known as grass pea, cicerchia, blue sweet pea, chickling pea, chickling vetch, Indian pea,[2] white pea[3] and white vetch,[4] is a legume (family Fabaceae) commonly grown for human consumption and livestock feed in Asia and East Africa.[5] It is a particularly important crop in areas that are prone to drought and famine, and is thought of as an ‘insurance crop’ as it produces reliable yields when all other crops fail. The Serra de’Conti Cicerchia is included in the Ark of Taste.

The seeds contain a neurotoxin that causes lathyrism, a neurodegenerative disease, if eaten as a primary protein source for a prolonged period.

Lathyrus sativus grows best where the average temperature is 10–25 °C and average rainfall is 400–650 mm (16–26 in) per year. Like other legumes, it improves the nitrogen content of soil. The crop can survive drought or floods,[4] but grows best in moist soils. It tolerates a range of soil types from light sandy through loamy to heavy clay, and acid, neutral, or alkaline soils. It does not tolerate shade.[6]

Slow Food inducted Serra de’Conti Cicerchia, a cicerchia grown in Serra de’ Conti Municipality, Ancona Province, Marche region into the Ark of Taste.[7]