Botanical Profile, Ecology, and Regional Significance
Lathyrus sativus, commonly known as Kheshari, grass pea, or chickling pea, is an annual leguminous plant cultivated and naturalized across vast regions of South Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Historically valued for its resilience under adverse climatic conditions, this species occupies a unique position at the intersection of agriculture, ecology, and rural livelihoods. Despite its controversial reputation due to health concerns associated with excessive consumption, Lathyrus sativus remains a crop of ecological and socioeconomic relevance, particularly in marginal landscapes such as floodplains, coastal fringes, and drought-prone zones.
In eastern India and the lower Gangetic delta, including the Sundarbans hinterland, Kheshari has traditionally been grown as a low-input pulse crop. Its ability to thrive under poor soil fertility, water stress, and temporary inundation makes it an important species for understanding agro-ecological adaptation in transitional landscapes. This article presents a comprehensive, research-oriented examination of Lathyrus sativus, focusing on its taxonomy, morphology, distribution, ecological role, conservation perspectives, and regional relevance.
Taxonomy & Classification
The taxonomic placement of Lathyrus sativus reflects its evolutionary affiliation with legumes adapted to temperate and subtropical environments. The genus Lathyrus includes both wild and cultivated species, many of which are known for their nitrogen-fixing abilities and climbing or trailing growth habits.
Systematic Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Lathyrus
Species: Lathyrus sativus L.
Within the Fabaceae, Lathyrus sativus is closely related to other pulse crops and forage legumes. Its genetic adaptability has enabled the species to persist across diverse ecological gradients, making it an important subject of agricultural and ecological research.
Morphology & Field Identification
The morphological characteristics of Lathyrus sativus are typical of annual herbaceous legumes, yet certain traits allow for reliable field identification, particularly during flowering and pod development stages.
Growth Habit and Stem
Kheshari is an annual, climbing or trailing herb that usually reaches a height of 30–80 cm. The stem is slender, angular, and weakly branched, often relying on nearby vegetation or agricultural supports for partial climbing. The plant exhibits rapid vegetative growth during cooler months, particularly in post-monsoon and winter cropping cycles.
Leaves and Tendrils
Leaves are pinnate, typically consisting of a pair of narrow, lanceolate leaflets. The terminal portion of the leaf often develops into a simple or branched tendril, aiding the plant in clinging to supports. Leaf surfaces are glabrous to slightly pubescent, and the overall foliage exhibits a bluish-green hue.
Flowers
The flowers are solitary or paired, borne in leaf axils. They are papilionaceous in structure, characteristic of legumes, with petals displaying shades of pale blue, violet, or occasionally white. Flowering usually occurs 45–60 days after sowing, depending on climatic conditions.
Fruits and Seeds
The fruit is a flattened, elongated pod containing two to five angular seeds. Seeds are irregularly shaped, hard, and vary in color from pale grey to brown. These seeds constitute the edible portion of the crop and are also responsible for its nutritional and toxicological significance.
Habitat & Distribution
Lathyrus sativus is primarily associated with cultivated and semi-natural habitats. It is frequently grown in rainfed agricultural fields, fallow lands, and marginal soils where other pulse crops may fail. The species exhibits remarkable tolerance to drought, waterlogging, and low soil fertility.
Global Range
The global distribution of Kheshari spans South Asia, Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and parts of East and North Africa. It has been cultivated for centuries in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Ethiopia, particularly in regions prone to climatic extremes. Outside its primary cultivation zones, the plant occasionally escapes into ruderal habitats.
Preferred Habitat
Lathyrus sativus prefers open, sunny environments with well-drained to moderately waterlogged soils. It grows successfully in alluvial soils, loamy fields, and even degraded lands with minimal organic matter. Its adaptability allows it to function as a fallback crop during years of poor rainfall or flooding.
Occurrence
In eastern India, Kheshari is commonly encountered in winter cropping systems following the retreat of monsoon floods. It is often intercropped or rotated with rice and other cereals. Although its cultivation has declined in some areas due to dietary restrictions, it remains present in traditional farming landscapes.
Preferred Habitat in the Sundarbans Region
In the Sundarbans fringe and adjacent deltaic tracts, Lathyrus sativus is grown mainly in reclaimed agricultural lands and village-level fields beyond the core mangrove zone. The crop benefits from residual soil moisture after monsoon flooding and tolerates slight soil salinity, making it suitable for transitional agro-ecosystems bordering mangrove forests.
Exploring the agricultural landscapes surrounding the mangrove forests adds depth to any Sundarban Tour, revealing how crops like Kheshari support local livelihoods.
Ecological Role
As a leguminous plant, Lathyrus sativus plays a vital role in soil fertility enhancement through biological nitrogen fixation. Symbiotic root nodules harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria that enrich the soil, benefiting subsequent crops. The plant also contributes organic matter through leaf fall and post-harvest residues.
In agro-ecological systems, Kheshari supports insect diversity by providing floral resources for pollinators. Its ground-covering growth habit helps reduce soil erosion, particularly in flood-prone or post-monsoon landscapes.
Habitat Alteration
Changes in land use, agricultural intensification, and shifting dietary regulations have altered the distribution and cultivation patterns of Lathyrus sativus. Conversion of traditional farmlands, increased soil salinity, and declining interest among younger farmers have contributed to reduced cultivation in some regions.
In deltaic areas, climate-induced changes such as increased flooding intensity and saline intrusion may further influence the future occurrence of this crop.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation of Lathyrus sativus focuses primarily on sustainable agricultural practices and crop improvement rather than wild habitat protection. Research initiatives aim to develop low-toxin or toxin-free varieties to ensure safe consumption while retaining the crop’s resilience.
In traditional farming regions, awareness programs emphasize balanced dietary use and crop diversification to preserve both human health and agro-biodiversity.
Understanding rural crops and ecological resilience enhances the experience of a guided Sundarban Tour, connecting visitors to the human–nature interface of the delta.
Did You Know?
Kheshari is known for surviving extreme droughts and floods where many other crops fail.
The plant has been cultivated for over two millennia in parts of South Asia.
Modern plant breeding aims to reduce naturally occurring neurotoxic compounds while preserving resilience.
Its nitrogen-fixing ability makes it valuable in low-input farming systems.
External Reference
For general botanical background and historical context, readers may consult:
