Hairy Peas

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Hairy peas (lat. Vicia hirsuta) - an annual representative of the genus Vic, or Peas, (lat. Vicia) from the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). Hairy in the plant are only fruits, which are typical for the genus bivalve legume pods, containing from one to three seeds. The stems and leaves of the plant are bare. The pale bluish flowers of the Hairy pea are small, inconspicuous. It is considered a weed plant, although it can well be used in human nutrition. In English-speaking literature, the plant can be found under such names as "Tiny vetch" ("Little vetch") or "Hairy Tare" ("Hairy vetch").

Description

The herbaceous annual plant can often be seen among the seedlings of winter cereals in European fields, in Siberia, in the vastness of Central Asia, as well as in North America and North Africa, where it was carried by winds, birds or the soles of tourists.

The thin (only up to one millimeter thick) and weak stem of the Hairy Pea manages to hold on itself complex leaves, formed by small oblong-oval leaves and ending in a tendril, with which the leaves cling to the turned support in order to increase the resistance of the whole plant. The stem often has a bare surface, but it happens that it is covered with short ciliated hairs. The stem section can be quadrangular or polygonal.

On the main leaf petiole, in pairs, on short petioles (up to 0.2 centimeters long), miniature simple leaves (up to 2-3 long and up to 0.3-0.6 centimeters wide) with an even edge, a rounded base and sharp tips. The surface of the leaves is usually bare, but the reverse side is covered with light pubescence.

Sepals of small flowers represent a rather picturesque creation of nature in green, resembling a bell in shape with subulate teeth of equal length, the surface of which is slightly covered with scattered hairs. The calyx is attached to the stem by a short (up to 0.1 centimeter long), but strong peduncle.

The pale blue corolla of flowers, the length of which is almost twice the length of the stable calyx, with a typical legume shape, peeks out comfortably from the green fluffy calyx, welcoming the world with its bare wings from May to September. The flowers of the plant are bisexual, self-pollinated, or they resort to the help of bees and other insects.

The one-year growing season is crowned by short drooping legume pods, the surface of which is protected by short, dense hairs. The small length of the pod allows only 1 to 3 pieces of flattened-spherical seeds to be located inside it, with a brightly colored skin (from olive to reddish-black). Fruiting lasts from July to October.

Usage

Like most plants of the legume family, Pea hairy (or, hairy vetch) is able to fix nitrogen, and therefore can be used as a green manure or a healer of depleted land.

In addition, growing near the apiary, Hairy Pea donates its nectar to hardworking bees, thereby replenishing honey supplies, both for the bees themselves and for humans.

Hairy peas are a completely edible plant, rich in vegetable protein, and are suitable for food for humans and domestic animals. Its young stems and leaves are used by humans as a vegetable, and the seeds can replace the nutritious and healthy lentils. The Germans actively used Pea Peas for food during the First World War, although this did not help them become victors, but helped to preserve their nation for future victories and defeats.

Of course, in the conditions of today's abundance, few people would come to mind to grow Hairy Peas on their site for commercial purposes. But remembering about its best qualities will not be superfluous at all.