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Lathyrus odoratus is often confused with:
Pisum sativum Peas in a pod
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium Alllium
Clematis paniculata Clematis paniculata
Lantana camara Lantana camara flower

Annual Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Lathyrus cyprius
  • Lathyrus maccaguenii
  • Lathyrus odoratus-zeylanicus
Phonetic Spelling
LAY-thy-russ oh-dor-AY-tus.
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Prefers a cool climate or afternoon shade; cool and heat resistant numerous cultivars are available; add organic matter, mulch and keep evenly moist; prefer well-drained soil; tolerates some frost; plant early spring; flowering will decrease if seed pods are allowed to develop.

Forest or natural areas native in low woods, bottomlands; weedy in disturbed areas, escaped along roadsides, in waste places, fields; landscape cultivated in flower gardens as perennial or annual herbaceous vine

Ornamental sweet peas, Lathyrus odoratus, are poisonous and should not be planted near edible peas, Pisum sativum,

More information on Lathyrus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mars'
  • 'Mrs. Joan Ward'
  • 'Oban Bay'
  • 'Old Spice'
  • 'Remembrance'
  • 'Souvenir'
'Mars', 'Mrs. Joan Ward', 'Oban Bay', 'Old Spice', 'Remembrance', 'Souvenir'
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#tendrils#cottage garden#aggressive#trellises#twining#border planting#screening#container plant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mars'
  • 'Mrs. Joan Ward'
  • 'Oban Bay'
  • 'Old Spice'
  • 'Remembrance'
  • 'Souvenir'
'Mars', 'Mrs. Joan Ward', 'Oban Bay', 'Old Spice', 'Remembrance', 'Souvenir'
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#tendrils#cottage garden#aggressive#trellises#twining#border planting#screening#container plant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lathyrus
    Species:
    odoratus
    Family:
    Fabacaeae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It has been used medicinally
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S. Italy, Sicilia
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Various colors (except yellow) including red, mauve, peach, lilac, white, pink, and scarlet pea-like in elongated clusters appear May-July
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves alternate, pinnately divided, each with 2 or more leaflets and a terminal tendril
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Herbaceous vine with winged stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Lathyrism": paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Amine, phenol, and glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds