Lathyrus odoratus

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Plant
ID 191 Lathyrus odoratus
Botanic Name Lathyrus odoratus
Common Name Sweet Pea
Family Name Fabaceae
Cultivars 'Multiflora' , 'Zvolanek','Knee High','Bijoo','Little Sweetheart', Bijou Group, Continental Group, Early Multiflora, Explorer Group, Jet Star Group,Knee-hi Group,
Origin Italy, Zone 4-10
Growth Type Annual
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 100
Growth Habit Climbing-twining Growth Rate Fast
Height 1.5 - 3 m (5 - 10 ft) Spread 0.5 m (2 ft)
Plant Overview
This climbing annual is fast growing with slender stems and tendrils and forms a dense cover. It has divided leaves with grey green oval leaflets and the pea-shaped sweetly scented pink to white flowers appear in a raceme from late winter to spring.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Trifoliolate
The 80 mm (3 in) long trifoliate leaves have 2 ovate leaflets 60 mm (2 3/8 in) long and the third, middle leaflet forms a branched tendril. The petiole is winged petiole and slightly flattened.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Entire
Colour Grey-green
Size 50 - 80 mm ( 2.0 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Papillionate
The papillionate flowers have red standard petals and purple wings and keel. There are 3 to 8 arranged in an upright raceme that is held above the foliage on a scape up to 300 mm (1 ft) tall. The flower colour can range from red, pink, mauve, white.
Inflorescence Raceme
Colour Blue - red - pink - white
Size 30 - 50 mm ( 1.2 - 2.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Legume Additional Information
Colour Green - brown
The 60 mm (2 3/8 in) long green pod contains many seeds (12 seeds per gram). The fruit is commonly removed during cultivation to prolong the plants life.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 40 - 60 mm ( 1.6 - 2.4 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained moist organic rich sandy to loamy soil, tending alkaline pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter box
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun-semi shade, open position, frost tolerant, drought tender
Pest & Diseases Aphids, slugs, thrips, powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, anthracnose, leaf spot
Fertiliser Add lime or sand to clay soils, added compost or fowl manure monthly
Pruning Remove spent flowers to prolong the flowering period
Cultural Uses Propagation
Sweet Pea is grown for its flowers and used as a screen on wire fences or lattice. It is also grown in rock gardens as a spill-over and is ideal in cottage gardens. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in one season.
Prepare seed by scarify by soaking over night and sow directly in the ground at 80 mm (3 in) intervals and 30 mm (1 1/4 in) deep. Cover them with compost and it will take 9 to 12 weeks for flowers to be produced.
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