LATHYRUS _tuberosus_ pedunculis multifloris, cirrhis diphyllis: foliolis
ovalibus, internodiis nudis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr.
p. 663._

LATHYRUS arvensis repens tuberosus. _Bauh. Pin. 344._

LATHYRUS arvensis sive terræ glandes. Pease Earth-Nuts. _Parkins. Theat.
p. 1061._

[Illustration: No 111]

Grows spontaneously in various parts of France and Germany; Mr.
PHILIP HURLOCK lately shewed me some dried specimens of this
plant, which he gathered in the corn fields, on the _Luneburgh Heide_,
in _Upper Lusatia_, where it grew plentifully, and afforded a pleasing
appearance to the curious traveller:--not so to the husbandman, to whom
it is as noxious as the _Convolvulus arvensis_ (_small Bindweed_) is
with us, and equally difficult to extirpate, having powerfully creeping
roots, which somewhat like the _Helianthus tuberosus_ (commonly called
_Jerusalem Artichoke_) produce large tubera, and which like those of
that plant, are in high esteem with some as an article of food, and as
such even cultivated abroad.

It flowers from June to the end of August. It is certainly a beautiful
hardy perennial, similar to (but of more humble growth) than the
everlasting pea, yet must be cautiously introduced on account of its
creeping roots, by which it is most readily propagated, rarely ripening
its seeds with us.