Abstract

WILD LATHYRUS PLANTS OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE – STRANGELY UNDER INVESTIGATED GENUS

Abdullatif Azab*

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Abstract

The Lathyrus genus is part of the large plant family of Fabaceae. The genus is represented by twenty-one species in the reviewed region, Israel and Palestine. Contrary to extensive uses in ancient times and in ethnobotany, the overall modern research of these plants is notably very limited. In this minireview, the major archeobotanical, ethnobotanical and findings of modern research will be presented. The plants of this very colorful genus were and still being used as food for humans and animals, but some toxicity issues were published. The complete chemical composition is not known for any of these plants, and modern publications reported only very limited parts. The medicinal activities of these plants were scarcely published and most publications reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. In this minireview domestic or semi-domestic (hybrid) species are not discussed. Massive research of this genus is needed, which might result the discovery of interesting natural products and new therapies.

Keywords: Lathyrus, Fabaceae, archeobotany, ethnobotany, Lathyrus aphaca, Lathyrus ochrus, fatty acids, B-ODAP, antimicrobial, antioxidant.