Tuberous Vetchling

Description:

Also known as Tuberous pea or Earthnut pea, this is climbing perennial plant from a family Fabaceae. Leaves are alternate on the stem, and composed of two oval leaflets and terminal tendril. The stem is weak and crawling on the ground if there is no support. Inflorescence are composed of striking pink flowers, some 2cm longs, standard for the family.

Habitat:

Native to Eurasia and usually thriving in rough grassy places, broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, hedgerows and banks, this Vetchling was observed in local forest-and-meadow like park. The park itself is at the outskirts of the town center, rather rural area in lowlands around Geneva lake (lac Leman), just between Alps and Jura mountain ranges.

Notes:

Interesting thing is that the Vetchling produces small edible tuber, sweet in taste, and rich in starches and nutritious. The tuber is edible raw or cooked, and has a sweet taste. It was (is?) occasionally grown as a root vegetable, but its production on a larger scale is hampered by low productivity.