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Lathyrus

Phonetic Spelling
lah-THY-russ
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Lathyrus is a genus of annual or perennial, herbaceous vines with winged stems and showy flowers in the pea family.  It is often used for animal fodder.  Plant in the full sun in rich well-drained soil.  This plant easily climbs trellises and walls with its tendrils.  It works well in a cottage garden or sprawling down a slope to help stop erosion.  The word lathyros is Greek for pea or pulse. Some species are native to the SE USA; others found here are naturalized exotics.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Apihds, mites, and pea moths are occasional pests.  Slugs and snails can eat new plants. Black root rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust diseases occasionally occur.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
L. grandiflorus, L. latifolius, L. odoratus
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#drought tolerant#tendrils#cottage garden#showy fruits#NC native#naturalizes#border planting#native vine#vertical spaces#garden walls#fence#trellis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
L. grandiflorus, L. latifolius, L. odoratus
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#drought tolerant#tendrils#cottage garden#showy fruits#NC native#naturalizes#border planting#native vine#vertical spaces#garden walls#fence#trellis
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lathyrus
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temp. & Subtropical to Tropical Mountains
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Description:
    A flattened pod; both young pods and seeds (peas) are edible after cooking
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pea-like flowers in a variety of colors and sizes in elongated clusters. The buds are a yellowish white. The bloom lasts throughout the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, pinnately divided, each with 2 or more leaflets of varying shapes and a terminal tendril.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Some species have winged stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. "Lathyrism": paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, and convulsions.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Amine, phenol, and glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Seeds