Arabian pea

Bituminaria bituminosa

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Mediterranean perennial legume with lilac flowers and a characteristic smell of bitumen when crushed. It fixes nitrogen and has deep roots that explore the soil, withstanding drought well. In the food forest, it occupies the herbaceous layer as a nitrogen fixer and biomass producer in arid conditions.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees arabian pea grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Perennial herb up to 1 m
Mature diameter: 0.6 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean, Atlantic coast

Calendar

January
February
March — Planting
April — Harvest — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August — Harvest
September — Harvest — Planting
October — Planting
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: In folk medicine, the crushed fresh leaves have traditionally been applied as a poultice on wounds and cuts due to their healing properties.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.