Herb latin name: Lotus edulis


Family: Leguminosae



Edible parts of Lotus edulis:

Young seedpods - raw or cooked. The pods are a bit small and fiddly (they are about 3cm long) but they have quite a pleasant taste eaten raw, rather like French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual


Height:
5 cm
(2 inches)

Flowering:
June to
October

Habitat of the herb:

Sandy, stony and rocky places.

Propagation of Lotus edulis:

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in situ in the spring. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 15°C. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Sandy, stony and rocky places.

Medicinal use of Lotus edulis:

None known

Known hazards of Lotus edulis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.