Lathyrus latifolius

Morphological description

Perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plant with a prostrate, ascending or climbing habit, whose stems can reach from 1 up to 3 meters in length. The stems are glabrous and flattened, characterized by two opposite wings 2.5 to 6 mm wide, with serrated margins. The wings give the stem a winged appearance, often with a smooth surface.

The leaves are composed of a pair of lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate leaflets, varying in size between 3 and 8 cm in length and 1-3 cm in width, with five well-marked parallel veins. They are glaucous underneath and have a winged rachis ending in branched and prehensile tendrils, which allow the plant to cling and climb on surrounding vegetation supports. The stipules are broad, ovate or lanceolate, often acuminate and with a characteristic basal tooth shaped like a leaf gland; the size ranges from 1 to 3 cm.

The inflorescence is a loose and pedunculate raceme bearing from 3 up to 15 flowers, with peduncles 10-20 cm long. The flowers, papilionaceous in shape, measure 2-3 cm in length. The standard is spatulate, pink-purple or intense fuchsia in color, often with prominent purple veins, while the wings and keel vary in shades from bright pink to whitish-greenish. The calyx is tubular with unequal teeth: the upper ones are short and almost absent, while the lower ones are longer and triangular-lanceolate. The ovary is densely glandular, with a twisted style.

The fruit is a cylindrical legume, smooth with faint dorsal ribs, 5 to 11 cm long, containing 10-15 reddish-brown seeds of sub-spherical shape. The rhizome is woody and vertical, from which new stems develop every year.

Habitat and distribution

The species is widespread throughout Italy, from coastal areas to mountainous regions, up to about 1200 meters altitude. It is naturally present in southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin, with particular concentration in temperate and submontane regions.

It prefers edge woodland environments, thickets, hedges and small woods, where it can climb by using nearby plants through its prehensile tendrils. It frequents well-drained soils, often calcareous or siliceous, with sunny or semi-shaded exposure. It is capable of colonizing disturbed environments and sometimes grows spontaneously at the edges of cultivated fields or in abandoned areas, showing a certain rusticity and adaptability.

Flowering period

Flowering generally occurs from May to August, with local variations related to altitude and climate. In more southern territories and at lower altitudes, flowering can begin as early as May, while in cooler or mountainous areas it tends to extend until August.

Ecology and pollination

The plant reproduces mainly through seed production, dispersed by mature legumes. The reproductive strategy is entomophilous, with pollination mediated by pollinating insects, especially bees and bumblebees attracted by the showy bright-colored papilionaceous flowers. The presence of prehensile tendrils allows the plant to climb and exploit the surrounding vegetation, increasing its colonization and competition capacity for light.

The woody rhizome also allows vegetative reproduction by budding, ensuring the longevity of the individual even under adverse conditions.

Curiosities and traditional uses

The genus name recalls ancient beliefs attributed to these legumes, considered aphrodisiacs in antiquity. The term "Lathyrus" derives from Greek and indicated a leguminous plant with presumed stimulating effects.

The Italian name "cicerchione" is linked to the resemblance with other species of the genus Lathyrus, such as cicerchia (Lathyrus sativus), but is distinguished by broader leaves and a climbing habit.

No particular widespread food or medicinal applications have been reported for this species, which however in the past could be locally used as forage or for decorative purposes thanks to its large colorful flowers. Its climbing ability and elegant habit also make it an interesting plant for the naturalistic enhancement of spontaneous green spaces.

Etymology

The scientific name derives from Latin: "Lathyrus" is a Latinization of the Greek term that once indicated a legume believed to be “exciting” or aphrodisiac, while "latifolius" means “broad-leaved,” referring to the wide leaflets that characterize this species compared to related ones.

The common Italian name "cicerchione" refers to the resemblance with cicerchia, but with larger leaves (“-one” as an augmentative suffix), thus distinguishing the species by its leaf size.

Sources

• Prof. S. Pignatti, "Flora d'Italia"
• Acta Plantarum - Flora delle regioni italiane (scheda di Mirna Medri)
• World Flora Online (WFO)