Lathyrus
( lah - THYE - russ )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Peavine or Vetchling, these annual or perennial plants can be vining or bushy, and produce flowers and edible fruits in spring and summertime. Many species are cultivated as garden plants, both as ornamentals and as crop plantings. Flowers are pea-shaped, and commonly are seen in maroon, red, pink, white, purple or blue.
|
Lathyrus Species and Varietals
The genus Lathyrus is a member of the plant family Fabaceae, and includes 181 species. Lathyrus plants can be grown in all zones (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map).
Lathyrus belinensis (Belin Pea) This species was discovered and collected in 1988 in Turkey by botanists Nigel Maxted and David John Goyder. This is a critically endangered species, and produces two-tone yellow and peach flowers with noticeable veining. They are rarely grown outside of their native range as ornamental plants due to the scarcity of the species. |
Lathyrus clymenum (Spanish Vetchling) Native to the Mediterranean, this species produces flowers with crimson and pink petals that bloom in spring and summertime. These plants are a bit delicate, susceptible to drought, heat waves, and strong coastal or inland winds. Seeds are used to make a Greek dish, Fava Santorinis. |
Lathyrus formosus (Winged Pea) These plants are native primarily to the Middle East and the Caucasus, and were first formally described in 1812. These plants grow well in high mountainous regions in shale rock areas. Seed pods are winged, hence the common name Winged Pea. Flowers are pink, yellow, and cream-colored. |
Lathyrus grandiflorus (Two-Flowered Everlasting Pea) This species, native to southern Europe, has greyish green leaves and produces magenta-pink to red flowers in late summertime. This is a hardy species of Pea, able to survive temperatures down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Flowers are unscented. These plants, once established are robust and will clamber and climb over other nearby structures and plants. |
Lathyrus japonicus (Sea Pea, Beach Pea, Circumpolar Pea, Sea Vetchling) This herbaceous perennial produces climbing green stems that attach to other plants and structures via tendrils. Broad flowers are purple-blue and white, blooming in mid- to late- summer, and leaves are greyish-green. Pods are long and brown. These plants enjoy growing along coastlines in stony or sandy medium. |
Lathyrus jepsonii (Delta Tule Pea, Jepson's Pea) Endemic to California, this species of Pea grows in a variety of habitats, including forests and estuaries. Flowers are pink to purple in color, and bloom in inflorescences of up to 15 blossoms. There are two varieties of this species, including Lathyrus jepsonii jepsonii (a rare cultivar that grows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta) and Lathyrus jepsonii californicus (a smaller variety that is sometimes hairy). |
Lathyrus latifolius (Perennial Peavine, Perennial Pea, Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea, Everlasting Pea) These plants are native to Europe but have naturalized themselves in many areas of the globe, popping up in areas with disturbed soil and along roadways. Foliage is bluish-green, and flowers are pink and white. Seedpods are flattened, and gradually turn brown. |
Lathyrus linifolius (Bitter Vetch, Heath Pea) This colorful-flowered species has been brought into recent medical attention due to its previous use as an appetite suppressant, and is native to Europe and Asia. Dark-colored tubers attach to root systems, and flowers emerge reddish-pink, fading to shades of purple and blue. They typically grow in grasslands, woodland edges, hedgerows, and banks. |
Lathyrus nevadensis (Sierra Pea, Purple Peavine) This perennial herb has climbing stems and is native to forests and clearings in western North America. These vines produce tendrils, which they use to attach to structures and other plants. These plants can spread vegetatively through underground rhizomes. Flowers are bicolored magenta-purple and white. |
Lathyrus nissolia (Grass Vetchling, Grass Pea) This distinct species has grassy foliage, and is an annual plant without true leaves, tendrils, or leaflets. Stalks are flattened, resembling blades of grass. Crimson flowers bloom in June and July, and are borne singularly. These plants prefer neutral to acidic soil, and are considered rare. |
Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea) This annual climbing plant with terminal tendrils has many cultivars with various flower colors (the true species flower color is purple). This species is native to Sicily, southern Italy, and Aegean Islands. Blooms are usually strongly scented, flowering in spring and summertime. |
Lathyrus palustris (Marsh Pea) This species is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and has branched, coiled tendrils which it uses to climb structures and other plants. Flowers are pinkish purple, blooming in groups of up to 8 at stem tips in July and August. These plants reach between 10 and 31 inches tall at maturity, and pods are flat and brown. These plants naturally grow in moist, even wet places like marshlands in full sun. |
Lathyrus rotundifolius (Persian Everlasting Pea) Reaching about 5 feet tall at maturity, this species is native to Turkey, and produces brick-red flowers in summertime. These plants require full sun, and can handle temperatures down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants are wonderful choices for areas that need filling in; they will scramble and climb over fences and even trees. |
Lathyrus sativus (Grass Pea, Cicerchia, Blue Sweet Pea, Chickling Pea, Chickling Vetch, Indian Pea, White Pea, White Vetch) This species is native to Asia and East Africa, where it is used as livestock fodder and as an 'insurance crop' (for when all other crops fail). Flowers are open and blue, white and pink in color. |
Lathyrus sphaericus (Grass Pea, Round-Seeded Vetchling) These annual plants are native to north Africa and Eurasia, and produces reddish-orange flowers. Fruits are hairless legume pods that have striping on them. Foliage is grassy, with terminal tendrils. These can grow in many areas, including in disturbed soils. |
Lathyrus sylvestris (Flat Pea, Narrow-Leaved Everlasting Pea) These natives of Africa, Asia, and Europe forms a foliage mat from which flower stems emerge, each supporting an inflorescence of three to ten salmon pink and white flowers. These plants reach about 80 inches maximum, and produce attachment tendrils. Cultivar 'Lathco' is a popular selection of this species. |
Caring for Lathyrus
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Acalypha plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:
- Aphids
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
|
Propagating camellias
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!