Get 50% off al spring bulbs!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.
Not to be missed!

Lotus tetragonolobus - Asparagus Pea

Lotus tetragonolobus purpureus
Asparagus pea, Winged lotus, Winged pea

4,2/5
3 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews

The seeds germinated well, but then the plants spread out on the ground and vegetated, despite all the care I gave them, just like my regular peas, which gave me a good harvest despite the drought. I'm very disappointed by these asparagus peas that I wanted to try and whose seeds are very expensive...

Patrick, 26/10/2020

Leave a review → View all reviews →

Why not try an alternative variety in stock?

Available to order
From €4.50 Seeds
12
From €4.50 Seeds
32
From €4.90 Seeds
11
From €4.90 Seeds
Available to order
From €7.90 Seeds
9
From €2.50 Seeds
4
From €2.50 Seeds
43
30% €4.13 €5.90 Seeds
23
From €4.50 Seeds
2
€4.50 Seeds
41
30% €3.85 €5.50 Seeds
4
From €2.90 Seeds
9
From €5.90 Seeds
15
From €2.50 Seeds
2
€5.90 Seeds

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

A forgotten species that is often overlooked. It is closely related to peas and beans. It produces curious pods with four sides. This old vegetable was once harvested in the wild. It bears ornamental red flowers. Sow the seeds from March to May under shelter and from late May to June in beds. Harvest from July to the first frost.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
15 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Sowing period March to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time June to August
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Harvest time June to September
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Lotus tetragonolobus, also known as asparagus pea, is a forgotten species that is closely related to peas and beans. It produces curious pods with four sides. Despite being little known, it is an old vegetable that was once harvested in the wild before being cultivated. It bears ornamental red flowers. Sow the seeds from March to May under shelter and from late May to June in beds. Harvest from July to the first frost.

 

This curious vegetable plant is native to Southern Europe and belongs to the large Fabaceae family. It develops a rosette of creeping stems. It bears beautiful red flowers, followed by the formation of curious pods with scalloped wings.

The pods are consumed whole when they are young and tender (2 to 3cm (1in) long) and are prepared like asparagus. When harvested at a more advanced stage (4 to 5cm (2in)), they should be shelled. The peas can then be cooked like garden peas.

It is grown in the same way as peas. It thrives in sunny, moist, well-drained and humus-bearing soil.

Harvest: it should be harvested regularly, approximately twice a week, until the first frost.

Storage: it can be stored for a few days in the vegetable compartment of a refrigerator. It can also be frozen after blanching in boiling water.

Gardener's tip: like all Fabaceae, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, similar to green manure. This nitrogen supply benefits both nearby plants and those that will be planted subsequently in a crop rotation system.

Harvest

Harvest time June to September
Type of vegetable Seed and pod vegetable
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value, Colour, Productive

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Lotus

Species

tetragonolobus

Cultivar

purpureus

Family

Fabaceae

Other common names

Asparagus pea, Winged lotus, Winged pea

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference24791

Other Pea seeds

9
From €2.50 Seeds
24
From €2.50 Seeds
Telephone Pea
Value-for-money Special offer
24
30% €3.85 €5.50 Seeds
4
From €2.50 Seeds
9
From €5.90 Seeds
43
30% €4.13 €5.90 Seeds
8
€8.50 Seeds
Available to order
From €4.50 Seeds
Out of stock
€8.90 Seeds

Planting and care

Sowing

The germination temperature is around 20°C (68°F), and it usually takes between 6 and 15 days for the seeds to sprout.

Sow from March to mid-May under cover, and from May to June directly in the ground.

Harvest from July until the first frost.

Sow directly in the ground. Choose a sunny area with slightly amended and loosened soil. Create furrows that are 5cm (2in) deep, with a distance of 60cm (24in) between rows. Sow the seeds every 5cm (2in). Water and keep the soil moist until germination.

Cultivation

It is a low-demanding vegetable that only requires light fertilisation. Additional inputs are therefore optional and depend on the initial fertility of your soil.

 

 

:

 

16
€14.50 Each
6
€19.50

Seedlings

Sowing period March to June
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 15 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Light.
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
4,2/5
No reviews
No reviews

Vegetable seeds

17
€1.50 Seeds
6
€6.50 Seeds
13
From €2.10 Seeds
25
From €3.90 Seeds
20
From €1.60 Seeds
17
From €2.10 Seeds
20
From €6.50 Seeds

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.