| Lathyrus latifolius | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Fabeae |
| Genus: | Lathyrus |
| Species: | L. latifolius |
| Binomial name | |
| Lathyrus latifolius L. |
|
Lathyrus latifolius, the perennial peavine, perennial pea or everlasting pea, is a flowering plant of the genus Lathyrus in the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe but is present on other continents, such as North America, where it is an introduced species.
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L. latifolius has winged hairless stems, and alternating blue green compound leaves consisting of a single pair of leaflets and a winged petiole about 2" long. The leaflets are narrowly ovate or oblong-ovate, smooth along the margins, hairless and up to 3" long and 1" across. There is a branched tendrils between the leaflets.
Short racemes of 4-11 flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves. The flowers, which are unscented, are about ¾–1" across with a typical structure for Faboideae, with an upper standard and lower keel, enclosed by lateral petals. There are 5 petals, which are purplish pink, fading with age. There is a green calyx with 5 teeth, often unequal. The blooming period lasts about 2 months during the summer and early autumn. [1]
The flowers are replaced by hairless flattened seedpods, about 2" long and ½" wide, with several seeds inside. The seedpod, which is initially green, gradually turns brown, splitting open into curled segments, flinging out the seeds. The seeds are dark and oblong to reniform in shape.
L. latifolius can reproduce vegetatively from its taproot and rhizomes, or by reseeding.
L. latifolius is a perennial herbaceous vine, originating in southern Europe, which can climb to 6 feet or more by means of twining tendrils, but in open areas sprawls. It is frost hardy, long-lived and slowly spreading. The foliage becomes rather ragged and yellowish by the end of summer.[2][1]
It requires partial to full sun and moist, mesic or slightly dry loam or clay-loam soil that is moist, mesic, or slightly dry. It is less strongly scented than the related annual sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, with which it may be confused. While grown as a garden plant it may be pervasive and difficult to remove. Because of this, this species is often considered to be a weed despite its attractive appearance.
There are two varieties, a white flower with a pink flush (Blushing Bride) and a pure white flower (White Pearl).
Bumblebees pollinate the flowers. Butterflies visit the flowers for their nectar, but do not pollinate. Epicauta fabricii (Fabricius Blister Beetle), the caterpillars of Grammia oithona (Oithona Tiger Moth) and some herbivores feed on the leaves. However the seeds are poisonous.[1]