Lathyrus sativus L. (KALAYA)

Refernces of kalaya are traceable from the brhat trayi period. Kaiyadeva quoted two types of kalaya viz., kalaya and triputa.  Author is of the opinion that L. sativus Linn. And L. pratensis are their respective botanical sources while, satina is P. sativum. Commenting on kaiyadeva nighantu P.V. Sharmaji considered both kalaya of sakavarga as well as satina of simbidhanya varga as P. sativum.  This view needs correction i.e., kalaya under saka varga is leaf of L. sativus and satina of simbidhanya is P. sativum. Bhavamisra mentioned both kalaya and triputa. Commenting on bhavaprakasa nighantu, K.C.Chunekarji quoted that kalaya as P. sativum and triputa as L. sativus.  One simple logic that kalaya (L. sativum) causes lathyrism but not P. sativum will remove the controvery.  Kalya leaf is mentioned under the saka varga.

Botanical description – A much branched sub-erect annual herb; stems up to 1.2 m long; leaves pinnately compound; leaflets generally 2, linear-lanceolate, upper leaflets modified into tendrils; flowers axillary, solitary, blue, purple or white; pods flat, oblong, dorsally 2-winged, slightly curved, 2.5-3.7 cm long; seeds 4-5, usually spotted or mottled, greyish brown or yellowish.

Part used –  seeds

Uses – Seeds are toxic on prolonged consumption resulting in paralysis of legs.  The condition is know as lathyrism i.e., kalayakhanjavata.

Chemical constituents – Putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermidine, spermine lathycarpin etc; a toxic compound etc.

Lathyrus sativus, is a legume commonly grown for human consumption and livestock feed in Asia and East Africa. It is also known as grass pea, blue sweet pea, chickling vetch, Indian pea, Indian vetch, white vetch, almorta or alverjón (Spain), cicerchia (Italy), guaya (Ethiopia), and khesari (India). Like other grain legumes, L. sativus produces a high-protein seed. The seeds also contain variable amounts of a neurotoxic amino acid β-N-Oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid or ODAP. ODAP is considered as the cause of the disease neurolathyrism, a neurodegenerative disease that causes paralysis of the lower body: emaciation of Gluteal muscle (buttocks). The disease has been seen to occur after famines in Europe (France, Spain, Germany), North Africa, South Asia, and is still prevalent in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Afghanistan (pan handle) when Lathyrus seed is the exclusive or main source of nutrients for extended periods. Research has shown that ODAP concentration increases in plants grown under stressful conditions, compounding the problem. Lathyrus pratensis or Meadow vetchling, also known as the Meadow Pea and Meadow pea-vine, is a perennial legume that grows to 1.2 m in height. The Meadow vetchling is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated by bees. As a perennial, this plant reproduces itself over many years, spreading out from the point it was introduced, especially in damp grassy areas. This plant has been propagated in the past as animal fodder. The Meadow vetchling is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world.