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Lathyrus odoratus
  • Sweet Pea

an annual member of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lathyrus odoratus has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The seed contains a toxin that is easily extractable in cold water or alcohol[1]. This toxin causes symptoms different to lathyrism (a disease of the nervous system caused by eating the seeds of certain members of this genus)[2]. Symptoms include reproduction failure and degenerative arthritis[2].

Edible uses

Notes

The seeds are rich in vitamin A[2], though the report does not say that the seeds are edible[K].
There are no edible uses listed for Lathyrus odoratus.

Material uses

An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[3][4].

Unknown part

Essential

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Lathyrus odoratus.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[6][7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lathyrus odoratus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good well-drained garden soil[5], whether acid or alkaline[8]. Prefers a position in full sun[5] but it also does well in partial shade[6].

A very ornamental plant, the sweet pea is often cultivated for its sweet smelling flowers, there are many named varieties[6]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[9].

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].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lathyrus odoratus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lathyrus odoratus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lathyrus odoratus
Genus
Lathyrus
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3][4]
Botanic
[5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 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)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    8. ? Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)

    "image:Lathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lathyrus_odoratus&oldid=78129"
    Facts about "Lathyrus odoratus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusLathyrus +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameSweet Pea +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageLathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has primary imageLathyrus odoratus Cupanii1b.UME.jpg +
    Has search namelathyrus odoratus + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLathyrus odoratus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +