Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet pea

FabaceaeSeeds/NutsPotential hazards — see below

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What to Eat

Edible parts: Seeds

The seeds are rich in vitamin A, though it is not reported that the seeds are edible.

Known Hazards

Unlike the edible pea, there is evidence that seeds of members of the genus Lathyrus are toxic if ingested in quantity. A related species, Lathyrus sativus, is grown for human consumption but when it forms a major part of the diet it causes symptoms of toxicity called lathyrism. In studies of rats, animals fed a diet of 50% sweet pea seeds developed enlarged adrenals relative to control animals fed on edible peas. The main effect is thought to be on the formation of collagen. Symptoms are similar to those of scurvy and copper deficiency, which share the common feature of inhibiting proper formation of collagen fibrils. Seeds of the sweet pea contain beta-aminopropionitrile that prevents the cross-linking of collagen by inhibiting lysyl oxidase and thus the formation of allysine, leading to loose skin. Recent experiments have attempted to develop this chemical as a treatment to avoid disfiguring skin contractions after skin grafting.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate climate plant.

Algeria, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Easter Island, Ecuador, El Salvador, Europe, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy*, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Rwanda, SE Asia, Sicily, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Indies,

Countries: Andorra, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Albania, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Brunei, Bahamas, Bhutan, Belarus, Switzerland, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Ecuador, Estonia, Egypt, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Grenada, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Croatia, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, St Kitts & Nevis, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, St Lucia, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malta, Maldives, Mexico, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, St Vincent, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

An annual herb. The stem is hairy and winged. The leaves are compound with two leaflets. These are 2-6 cm long by 7-30 mm wide. There are 1-3 flowers in a group. They can be white, pink, purple or blue.

How to Grow

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good well-drained garden soil, whether acid or alkaline. Prefers a position in full sun but it also does well in partial shade. A very ornamental plant, the sweet pea is often cultivated for its sweet smelling flowers, there are many named varieties. Plants climb by means of tendrils. 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.

Propagation: Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in early spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle and plant out in summer. With sufficient seed, sow in situ in mid spring. Seed can also be sown in situ in autumn.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery. The plant is also a nitrogen fixer.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Annual climbing vine reaching 2 m tall with fast growth. Flowers from July to September, seeds ripen August to October. Hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Grows in light, medium, or heavy soils with good drainage, tolerating mildly acidic to alkaline pH. Prefers moist soil and can grow in semi-shade or full sun. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Names & Synonyms

Chureca, Clarin, Chicaro, Huongdau, Pe-pan

Pisum odoratum (L.) E. H. L. Krause

References (10)

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Pasta, S., et al, 2020, An Updated Checklist of the Sicilian Native Edible Plants: Preserving the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Century-Old Agro-Pastoral Landscapes. Frontiers in Plant Science. Volume 11|Article 388
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Zeven, A. C. & de West, J. M. J., 1982, Dictionary of cultivated plants and their regions of diversity. Wageningen. p 114
Zizka, G., 1991, Flowering Plants of Easter Island. Palmarum Hortus Francofurtensis