Lathyrus odoratus
| Lathyrus odoratus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lathyrus odoratus (common name: sweet pea)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
If you have sufficient seed, then it can be sown in situ in mid spring[1]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn[2][3].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good well-drained garden soil[1], whether acid or alkaline[4]. Prefers a position in full sun[1] but it also does well in partial shade[2].
A very ornamental plant, the sweet pea is often cultivated for its sweet smelling flowers, there are many named varieties[2]. Plants climb by means of tendrils[5].
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[1].
Range: S. Europe - Italy, Sicily and Crete.
Edibility: The seeds are rich in vitamin A[6], though the report does not say that the seeds are edible[K].
Usage: An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[7][8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seed contains a toxin that is easily extractable in cold water or alcohol[9]. This toxin causes symptoms different to lathyrism (a disease of the nervous system caused by eating the seeds of certain members of this genus)[6]. Symptoms include repr
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Chakravarty, Hiralal. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. 1976.