Lotus tetragonolobus is delightful, easy and looks unusual, making a good ‘talking point’ to engage children’s attention. The foliage is attractive, almost geometrical in a curious way and has the rare habit of closing each evening (presumably to avoid cold night skies or browsing by night time critters such as molluscs).
The flowers are recognisably those of a typical Legume, very pea-like, in rich rust red, soon followed by edible winged pods. Which are most palatable taken young at an inch or so, becoming more fibrous as they swell to almost finger sized. Delicious steamed with butter or in cheese sauce and absolutely not tasting of asparagus as might be inferred, the name refers to it’s texture of prime asparagus.
If these pods mature they ripen a half dozen or more spherical purple red ‘peas’, these can be roasted and ground as a coffee. I’ve tried this and as coffee substitutes go it’s not noticeably worse than others.
Known to the Romans this comes from the Mediterranean region and sporadically grown in gardens and as a crop ever since though failing to achieve popularity. That ghastly Latin name does not help, Lotus is fine, lovely associations but the specific is horrible, tetra being four, gonia/angled, lobos/pod. And then the common name is misleading with other Legumes similarly named: Asparagus Pea aka Goa bean, Psophocarpus tetragonobulis, (has much larger and tastier pods) and Asparagus bean, aka Cow pea or Yard-long bean, Vigna sesquipedalis.
Simple to grow, a tough annual, reaching a couple of feet or so, either way as it’s a tad floppy. Seeds are sown from late winter in small pots,moved up to larger pots or tubs of any reasonable compost. Full sun is preferable but will take light shade. Watering should be regular, sufficient to keep the soil just moist, avoid ever water-logging. Seldom is any feed needed as a native of poor soils. Pests and diseases rarely cause problems. Indeed this is almost bomb-proof and makes a good ‘children’s plant’.
Our very closely related native Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, has remarkably similar though much smaller pods which are recorded as eaten in times of famine, but I’ve not tried those.