Scientific Name:
Lathyrus odoratus
Pronunciation:
LATH-ih-rus oh-dore-AY-tus
Common Name:
sweet pea
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Vine or climber
Key ID Features:
Stems and petioles winged and end in tendrils for climbing; leaves pinnately compound, most with two ovate-elliptical leaflets that expand to 4-7cm long x 2-5cm wide; flowers highly fragrant and now come in many colours, 2-3.5cm wide.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Climbing
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Summer interest (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Compound Leaf:
Odd-pinnate, Tripinnate
Shapes:
Elliptic, Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cuneate, Rounded
Margins:
Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Purple, Pink, Red
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Legume
Fruit Colour:
Green
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Root nodules (N-fixing), Tendrils
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids, Mildew, Virus (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
