Pisum sativum arvense Field Pea PFAF Plant Database

Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Pisum sativum arvense is a ANNUAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Occasionally bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. arvense.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw[2, 46, 61]. A good source of protein. The seeds of this sub-species tend to be of poorer quality than the species, being less rich in sugars. They are grown mainly for use when mature and dried. Young leaves - cooked[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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.
Contraceptive Skin

The seed is contraceptive, fungistatic and spermacidal[218]. The dried and powdered seed has been used as a poultice on the skin where it has an appreciable affect on many types of skin complaint including acne[7]. The oil from the seed, given once a month to women, has shown promise of preventing pregnancy by interfering with the working of progesterone[218]. The oil inhibits endometrial development[240]. In trials, the oil reduced pregnancy rate in women by 60% in a 2 year period and 50% reduction in male sperm count was achieved[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Green manure

Sometimes grown as a spring sown green manure, plants produce a good bulk and fix a large quantity of nitrogen[46, 87].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil[1, 16, 37]. Prefers a calcareous soil[37]. Prefers a rich loamy soil[1]. A light soil and a sheltered position is best for early sowings[1]. This a more vigorous form of P. sativum with less sweet seeds which are usually eaten as a protein crop when they are mature. This sub-species is taken to include the Maple peas with varieties such as Minerva and Marathon[87]. Other varieties included in this group are 'Bavarian pea', 'Black-podded pea', East Prussian pea', Sand pea', Smyrna pea' and 'Konigsberger pea'[61]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow it in situ from early to late spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Pisum sativum	Garden Pea	Annual	2.0	2-9	LM	N	M	4	2	3
Pisum sativum elatius	Wild Pea	Annual	2.0	-	LM	N	M	4	2
Pisum sativum macrocarpon	Sugar Pea	Annual	2.0	-	LM	N	M	4	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Support Plants For A Future

Plants For A Future relies on regular donations to keep our free database and search facilities going, to pay for ongoing research, improvements and enhancements, and to develop and publish new books. Read more

Choose Currency

Donate in £ GBP Donate in $ USD Donate in € EUR

Securely pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card without an account.

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Poir.

Botanical References

1750

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Pisum sativum arvense - (L.)Poir.