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lathyrus latifolius - L.

Common Name Perennial Sweet Pea, Perennial pea
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.
Habitats Hedges, vineyards, fields and uncultivated places[50].
Range S. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
lathyrus latifolius Perennial Sweet Pea, Perennial pea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:TeunSpaans
lathyrus latifolius Perennial Sweet Pea, Perennial pea
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:TeunSpaans

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
lathyrus latifolius is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[105, 177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young seedpod - cooked[105, 177]. Young plant - cooked[105, 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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants can be grown without supports when they will 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 metres apart each way[208]. They are very vigorous and so are best not used with small plants[K]. They also die down completely in the winter, giving weeds a chance to become established[K].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Container. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil[200], whether acid or alkaline[202]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates part day shade[200]. Succeeds in dry soils and is drought tolerant when established[190]. Grows well on dry slopes[208]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[202]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[187]. It is fast-growing and, when in a suitable position, can become invasive[202]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[188]. Resents root disturbance and can take a year or two to settle down after being moved[219]. 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]. Special Features:All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Herbaceous. A suckering vine sending up suckers some distance main plant [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it can also be sown in situ in mid spring[200]. Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic and Slovakia), Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal, AFRICA: Algeria (north), Morocco, Tunisia.

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lathyrus alatus Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNM10 
Lathyrus aphacaYellow-Flowered PeaAnnual0.9 -  LMHNDM11 
Lathyrus ciceraChickling Vetch, Red peaAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHNM10 
Lathyrus davidii Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Lathyrus japonicusBeach Pea, Smallflower beach peaPerennial0.6 3-7  LMHNDM20 
Lathyrus japonicus maritimusBeach PeaPerennial0.6 3-7  LMHNDM203
Lathyrus latifoliusPerennial Sweet Pea, Perennial peaPerennial Climber2.0 5-9 FLMHSNDM102
Lathyrus linifolius montanusBitter VetchPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHSNM203
Lathyrus nervosusLord Anson's PeaPerennial Climber0.5 8-11  LMHNM20 
Lathyrus ochroleucasCream PeavinePerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM11 
Lathyrus ochrusCyprus VetchAnnual0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Lathyrus odoratusSweet Pea, Wild Pea,VetchlingAnnual Climber2.0 2-11 FLMHSNM103
Lathyrus ornatusBush VetchlingPerennial0.3 3-7  LMHNDM11 
Lathyrus palustrisSlenderstem Peavine, Marsh peaPerennial Climber1.2 4-8  LMHNMWe10 
Lathyrus polymorphusManystem Peavine, Hoary peaPerennial0.4 0-0  LMHNM10 
Lathyrus pratensisMeadow VetchlingPerennial1.2 4-8  LMHNMWe011
Lathyrus quinquenervius Perennial0.6 -  LMHNMWe10 
Lathyrus sativusChickling Pea, White peaAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM213
Lathyrus sylvestrisFlat pea, Wood peaPerennial Climber1.5 6-9 FLMHSNM003
Lathyrus tuberosusEarthnut Pea, Tuberous sweetpeaPerennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM503

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Ron Schwarz   Thu May 10 2007

Here in farm country (rural midwest U.S.A.), the accepted wisdom is that Sweet Pea = poison. I would not risk eating them, and, I pull them out when I find them growing where livestock might browse.

Jo Davis   Fri Oct 19 2007

Lathyrus latifolius is considered a noxious weed in Oregon as it infest roadsides, forested regions and natural areas. Although it can provide good source of food for upland game birds, as it increase in size, large areas are smothered and native plant cover is reduced. Large infestations are starting to creep into Ponderosa pine forests.

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