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Lathyrus latifolius
  • Perennial Sweet Pea

a perennial woody member of the Lathyrus genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • 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
    Unknown
    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
  • 5
    Zone 5
    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 latifolius has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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)[1][2]. Great caution is advised.

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked[3][4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Young seedpod - cooked[3][4].

Young plant - cooked[3][4].

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Material 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[5][6]. They should be spaced about 1.5 metres apart each way[7]. 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].
There are no material uses listed for Lathyrus latifolius.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Lathyrus latifolius.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber or Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


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[8]. 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[8].

Division in spring. It may not transplant well so care should be taken[8].

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



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good garden soil[8], whether acid or alkaline[6]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates part day shade[8]. Succeeds in dry soils and is drought tolerant when established[9]. Grows well on dry slopes[7]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[10].

Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[6]. A very ornamental plant[11], there are many named varieties[12]. It is fast-growing and, when in a suitable position, can become invasive[6]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[5]. Resents root disturbance and can take a year or two to settle down after being moved[13].

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[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lathyrus latifolius. 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 latifolius.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lathyrus latifolius
Genus
Lathyrus
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7]
Botanic
[14][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Climber, Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
2 x 2 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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


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

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

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

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






References

  1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  10. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  12. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  13. ? Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
  14. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

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Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lathyrus_latifolius&oldid=78124"
Facts about "Lathyrus latifolius"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
Belongs to genusLathyrus +
Functions asGround cover + and Nitrogen fixer +
Has common namePerennial Sweet Pea +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +, Seeds + and Seedpod +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageLathyrus latifolius.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height2 +
Has mature width2 +
Has primary imageLathyrus latifolius.jpg +
Has search namelathyrus latifolius + 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 sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameLathyrus latifolius +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber + and Soil surface +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +