Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Young seedpods are edible after thorough cooking. They resemble cultivated pea pods in flavor and texture but have a noticeable bitter undertone. Harvest pods while still green, tender, and fleshy, as mature pods quickly become dry and fibrous. Young shoots are also edible after thorough cooking. They have a pleasant flavor similar to the seedpods, with little bitterness and no harsh aftertaste. Although slightly fibrous, they are generally tender when gathered young and can be prepared as a cooked green vegetable. The mature seeds are also reported to be edible after prolonged cooking. However, like all edible parts of the plant, they contain toxic amino acids (lathyrogens) that cooking cannot completely remove. Young leaves resemble the flavor of the shoots but are more distinctly bitter. Although they were sampled during field observations, they are not reported to be edible and should not be regarded as a food source [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 2 out of 5 – Pleasant-tasting young shoots and pods, but the presence of lathyrogens means the plant should only be eaten occasionally and always after thorough cooking [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Young seedpods have a familiar pea-like flavor with a mild bitterness that distinguishes them from cultivated peas. They are best boiled or steamed while still immature. Young shoots are among the best edible parts. After cooking, they are mild, tender, and pleasantly flavored, although the fibers become more noticeable as shoots age. The seeds must be thoroughly boiled before consumption. Cooking significantly reduces lathyrogen content but does not eliminate it entirely, making regular consumption inadvisable [2-3]. Seasonality (Phenology): Young shoots emerge from late winter through early autumn, depending on climate. Flowering generally occurs from late spring through summer, while tender seedpods develop shortly after flowering and remain available until they mature and dry. Within the genus, flowering generally extends from April to September. Nutritional Value: Like other peas, the pods and seeds contain carbohydrates, plant protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, their nutritional value is offset by naturally occurring lathyrogens, which limit safe consumption. Traditional Uses: Unlike many native North American peavines, everlasting sweetpea has relatively little documented ethnobotanical use in North America because it is an introduced European species. In Europe, people have occasionally eaten young shoots as a spring vegetable and used the seeds during periods of food shortage after extensive cooking [2-3]. Warning: Like all members of the Lathyrus genus, everlasting sweetpea contains toxic amino acids known as lathyrogens. Frequent or excessive consumption can lead to serious neurological or skeletal disorders, including neurolathyrism and osteolathyrism. Thorough boiling reduces these toxins but does not eliminate them. Eat the plant only occasionally, and never rely on it as a staple food. Seed - cooked[105, 177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young seedpod - cooked[105, 177]. Young plant - cooked[105, 177]. Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast, notes that there is no documented evidence of humans being poisoned by wild peas. He concludes that eating small amounts of wild peas is generally safe, unless someone has an unpredictable allergy to them.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

Landscape Uses: Arbor, Container. Plants can be grown without supports when they sprawl on the ground and can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188, 202]. They should be spaced about 1.5 meters apart in all directions [208]. They are very vigorous, so they are best not used with small plants[K]. They also die down completely in the winter, giving weeds a chance to become established[K]. Widely cultivated as an ornamental for its abundant, colorful flowers and long flowering season. Wildlife Value: Flowers provide nectar for pollinating insects, while the dense vines offer shelter for small wildlife. Seeds are occasionally eaten by birds and small mammals. Pollinators: The showy butterfly-shaped flowers attract bees, particularly bumblebees, along with other nectar-feeding insects.

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover  Nitrogen Fixer