The tubers of L. linifolius were formerly used as an appetite suppressant in medieval Scotland, and this use has brought the plant to recent medical attention.

Lathyrus linifolius is a perennial plant with dark-coloured tubers up to 3 centimetres (1+1⁄4 in) wide attached to the roots.

The leaf blades are pinnate with two to four pairs of narrow lanceolate leaflets with blunt tips, entire margins and no tendrils.

Its typical habitat is rough grassy places, broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, hedgerows and banks.

[5] The plant was formerly an ingredient of the Highland diet when food was scarce until the 18th century, when the potato became an important crop in the region.