Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet Pea
an annual member of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Lathyrus
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed contains a toxin that is easily extractable in cold water or alcohol[2]. This toxin causes symptoms different to lathyrism (a disease of the nervous system caused by eating the seeds of certain members of this genus)[7]. Symptoms include reproduction failure and degenerative arthritis[7].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seeds are rich in vitamin A[10], though the report does not say that the seeds are edible[K]. There are no edible uses listed for Lathyrus odoratus.
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[8][9].
- Product or use
- Essential
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe - Italy, Sicily and Crete.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[5]. 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 be sown in situ in mid spring[5]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn[1][3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good well-drained garden soil[5], whether acid or alkaline[6]. Prefers a position in full sun[5] but it also does well in partial shade[1]. A very ornamental plant, the sweet pea is often cultivated for its sweet smelling flowers, there are many named varieties[1]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[4]. 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[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)