Pisum sativum arvense
Field Pea

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked or sprouted and eaten raw^[1]^[2]^[3]. 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^[4].

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

Sometimes grown as a spring sown green manure, plants produce a good bulk and fix a large quantity of nitrogen^[2]^[5].

There are no material uses listed for Pisum sativum arvense.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is contraceptive, fungistatic and spermacidal^[6]. 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^[6]. The oil inhibits endometrial development^[8]. 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^[8].

Unknown part

Contraceptive

Skin

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Green manure

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

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

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil^[9]^[10]^[11]. Prefers a calcareous soil^[11]. Prefers a rich loamy soil^[9]. A light soil and a sheltered position is best for early sowings^[9].

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^[5]. Other varieties included in this group are 'Bavarian pea', 'Black-podded pea', East Prussian pea', Sand pea', Smyrna pea' and 'Konigsberger pea'^[3].

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^[12]. 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.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pisum sativum arvense. 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 Pisum sativum arvense.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies