The Heath Pea is a fern-like wild plant with purple flowers. These flowers can control hunger and thirst for weeks. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It grows in rough grassy places, broad-leaved woodland, forest margins and banks. The Heath Pea was a vital ingredient of the Highland diet until the 18th century, when food was scarce and not available easily. Just a couple of tubers were sufficient to provide a boost of energy and prevent thirst and hunger. The fruit of this plant is a long reddish-brown pod containing up to ten seeds. This plant flowers in May and June.