Grass pea, Lathyrus sativus, is khesari dal, a hardy pulse that survives drought and flood when other crops fail. That toughness made it a famine food. When people ate little else for months, a toxin in the seed caused neurolathyrism, a permanent paralysis of the legs. Eaten as part of a mixed diet, after soaking and cooking, it is a valuable food, and low-toxin varieties now exist.
- Botanical name
- Lathyrus sativus L.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tamil
- Khesari
- Hindi
- Khesari
- Parts used
- Cooked seed (caution staple)
- Habit
- Drought pulse; pea is Lathyrus oleraceus
- Last updated
- 2026-10-25
How to recognise Grass pea
It is a sprawling annual with winged stems and leaves of one or two pairs of narrow leaflets ending in a tendril.
Flowers are small and pea-like, in blue, purple, pink or white.
The pods are short and flat with winged edges, holding a few angular, wedge-shaped seeds, white to grey or mottled.
Garden pea, Lathyrus oleraceus (Pisum sativum in older books), has round seeds and larger leaflets.
Traditional use of Grass pea
Farming
Khesari is sown as a relay crop into standing rice fields in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, growing on residual moisture after the harvest.
Eastern Indian farm practice
Food
It is eaten as dal, made into flour for snacks, and the young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.
Indian food practice
Modern notes on Grass pea
The neurotoxin is β-ODAP. Neurolathyrism appears when grass pea makes up a large share of the diet for weeks to months, especially during famine.
Indian breeders have developed low-ODAP varieties such as Ratan, Prateek and Mahateora. Soaking, boiling and discarding the water also lower the toxin.
Grass pea safety
Do not make grass pea the main food for long periods. Soak and cook it, discard the water, and eat it with cereals and other foods.
Ecology and sourcing
It is one of the hardiest pulses, tolerating drought, waterlogging and poor soil, and it fixes nitrogen.
Climate researchers see low-toxin grass pea as a promising crop for marginal lands.
Related plants
Also in Fabaceae
Questions about Grass pea
Is khesari dal safe?
As part of a mixed diet, soaked and cooked, yes. Eating it as the main food for months is dangerous.
What is neurolathyrism?
A permanent leg paralysis caused by its toxin when eaten in excess over time.
Is Grass pea a garden pea?
No. Garden pea is Lathyrus oleraceus.
Sources
- Lathyrus sativus L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q162093 (Lathyrus sativus)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.