Tuberous pea

A very hardy, tuber-forming Lathyrus! It is even one of the few perennials of this genus whose lilac flowers also smell delightful!
A native plant throughout Europe.
The filamentous root system develops tuberous, elongated thickenings that have been known as food for centuries.
The plant grows 30-100cm long/high: an excellent edible ornamental plant! The French call these forgotten vegetables "Dutch Mice" (!) because since ± 1783 these tubers were exported from the cool Netherlands to France.
An old recipe: boil tubers for 1 hour, mash and serve with milk and herbs.
The flowers, young shoots and seed pods are also edible.

Names:
Latin: Lathyrus tuberosus
Dutch: Aardaker
Also known as: Hollandse Muisjes
English: Tuberous Pea, Tuberous Vetchling, Earthnut Pea