Chicharos
Madeiran name for two leguminous plants, Lathyrus sativus and L. cicera, grown in some gardens for their edible seeds, used in soup, and for fodder.
In Madeira this name is given to Lathyrus stativus and L. Cicera, plants of the family Leguminosae grown in some kitchen gardens. Both plants have leaves with 2 narrow leaflets, but the upper edge of the pods, which is winged in the first, is merely channelled in the second. Some authors attribute poisonous properties to the seeds of the chicharos, but in Madeira, where L. stativus is frequently grown for food, we are not aware that such properties have been noticed. The seeds of the chicharos are used for soup, and the stems and leaves make good fodder and can also be used as green manure.