Khesari

Common name: Grass pea, chickling pea, dogtooth pea, grass peavine, Indian pea, Riga pea

Scientific Name: Lathyrus sativus

Feed Categories: Legume forage 

Collection site: Manikganj

Production/Availability:\

Kheasri or grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a dual-purpose annual legume grown for its seeds for human consumption, and fodder for livestock feeding. Grass pea has a variable habit and can be trailing or climbing. It is many-branched with slender stems up to 60 cm in height. It has a deep and strong taproot. Among vetch (Lathyrus) species, grass pea is the most economically important and widely cultivated crop for human consumption. Grass pea seeds are a common staple food in many Asian and African countries. In Bangladesh and Nepal, grass pea seeds are ground to make flour used to prepare flatbreads (roti in Bangladesh and pakoda in Nepal). Grass pea flour is used to adulterate high-priced legume flours made from chickpea or mungbean seeds. Immature pods and young plants are cooked and eaten as vegetables. Grass pea foliage and seeds make valuable forage. They can be used fresh, dried as hay or made into silage. Grass pea straw and chaff are particularly valuable. In some countries, Lathyrus sativus is mainly used for fodder production.