''Lathyrus'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

s in the

legume Legumes are plants in the pea family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seeds of such plants. When used as a dry grain for human consumption, the seeds are also called pulses. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consum ...

family

Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomen ...

, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are

native Native may refer to: People * '' Jus sanguinis'', nationality by blood * '' Jus soli'', nationality by location of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Nat ...

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...

areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in tropical East Africa, and 24 in temperate South America. There are

annual Annual may refer to: *Annual publication, periodical publications appearing regularly once per year **Yearbook **Literary annual *Annual plant *Annual report *Annual giving *Annual, Morocco, a settlement in northeastern Morocco *Annuals (band), a ...

and

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

species which may be climbing or bushy. This genus has numerous sections, including ''Orobus'', which was once a separate genus. The genus has numerous synonyms, including ''Pisum'', the ancient

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

name for the

pea Pea (''pisum'' in Latin) is a pulse or fodder crop, but the word often refers to the seed or sometimes the pod of this flowering plant species. Peas are eaten as a vegetable. Carl Linnaeus gave the species the scientific name ''Pisum sativum' ...

.Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 304

Species

181 species are currently accepted.GRIN Species Records of ''Lathyrus''.
Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). *''

Lathyrus acutifolius ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus alamutensis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus alpestris ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus amphicarpos ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus angulatus ''Lathyrus angulatus'' is a species of wild pea known by the common name angled pea. It is native to southern Europe and North Africa, and it is known from elsewhere as an introduced species. This is an annual herb with a flanged, hairless s ...

'' – angled pea *''

Lathyrus anhuiensis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus annuus ''Lathyrus annuus'', the annual vetchling, is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae. They are climbers and are associated with freshwater habitat. They have broad leaves. Individuals can grow to 37 cm tall. Sources References ...

'' – red fodder pea *''

Lathyrus apenninus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus aphaca ''Lathyrus aphaca'', known as the yellow pea or yellow vetchling, is an annual species in the family Fabaceae with yellow flowers and solitary, pea-like fruits. It originated in the Middle East and has spread throughout Europe and beyond as a ...

'' – yellow pea *''

Lathyrus armenus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus articulatus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus atropatanus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus aureus'' – golden pea *'' Lathyrus basalticus'' *''

Lathyrus bauhini ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus belinensis'' *'' Lathyrus berteroanus'' *'' Lathyrus biflorus'' – twoflower pea *'' Lathyrus bijugus'' – drypark pea *'' Lathyrus binatus'' *'' Lathyrus bitlisicus'' *''

Lathyrus blepharicarpos ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' – ciliate vetchling *'' Lathyrus boissieri'' *'' Lathyrus brachycalyx'' – Bonneville pea *''

Lathyrus brachyodon ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus brachypterus'' *''

Lathyrus brownii ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus cabrerianus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus campestris ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus cassius ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native species, native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Eu ...

'' *'' Lathyrus caudatus'' *'' Lathyrus chloranthus'' *'' Lathyrus chrysanthus'' *''

Lathyrus cicera ''Lathyrus cicera'' is a species of wild pea known by the common names red pea, red vetchling and flatpod peavine. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and it is known from other places as an introduced species. This is a h ...

'' – red pea *''

Lathyrus ciliatidentatus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus cilicicus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus ciliolatus'' *'' Lathyrus cirpicii'' *'' Lathyrus cirrhosus'' *''

Lathyrus clymenum ''Lathyrus clymenum'', also called Spanish vetchling, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Mediterranean. The seeds are used to prepare a Greek dish called fava santorinis. The plant is cultivated on the island of Santorin ...

'' – Spanish vetchling *''

Lathyrus colchicus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus crassipes'' – ''arvejilla'' *''

Lathyrus cyaneus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus czeczottianus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus davidii'' *'' Lathyrus decaphyllus'' – prairie vetchling *'' Lathyrus delnorticus'' – Del Norte pea *'' Lathyrus dielsianus'' *'' Lathyrus digitatus'' *'' Lathyrus elegans'' *'' Lathyrus elongatus'' *'' Lathyrus emodi'' *'' Lathyrus eucosmus'' – seemly vetchling, bush vetchling *'' Lathyrus filiformis'' *'' Lathyrus fissus'' *''

Lathyrus formosus ''Lathyrus formosus'' is a species of flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is an herbaceous perennial which grows primarily in high mountain areas on shale or rocky ground in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and the Caucasus. The speci ...

'' – Vavilovia *'' Lathyrus frolovii'' *''

Lathyrus fulvus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus glandulosus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus gloeosperma'' *'' Lathyrus gmelinii'' *''

Lathyrus golanensis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus gorgoni ''Lathyrus gorgoni'' is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,Lathyrus graminifolius'' – grassleaf pea *'' Lathyrus grandiflorus'' – twoflower everlasting pea *'' Lathyrus grimesii'' – Grimes' pea *'' Lathyrus hallersteinii'' *'' Lathyrus hasslerianus'' *'' Lathyrus heterophyllus'' – Norfolk everlasting pea *'' Lathyrus hierosolymitanus'' *'' Lathyrus hirsutus'' – hairy vetchling *''

Lathyrus hirticarpus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus hitchcockianus'' – Bullfrog Mountain pea *'' Lathyrus holochlorus'' – thinleaf pea *'' Lathyrus hookeri'' *'' Lathyrus humilis'' *'' Lathyrus hygrophilus'' *'' Lathyrus inconspicuus'' *'' Lathyrus incurvus'' *'' Lathyrus japonicus'' – sea pea, beach pea *'' Lathyrus jepsonii'' – delta tule pea *'' Lathyrus karsianus'' *'' Lathyrus ketzkhovelii'' *'' Lathyrus komarovii'' *'' Lathyrus krylovii'' *'' Lathyrus laetivirens'' – aspen pea *'' Lathyrus laevigatus'' *'' Lathyrus lanszwertii'' – Nevada pea ** ''Lathyrus lanszwertii'' var. ''aridus'' ** ''Lathyrus lanszwertii'' var. ''arizonicus'' ** ''Lathyrus lanszwertii'' var. ''bijugatus'' – drypark pea ** ''Lathyrus lanszwertii'' var. ''lanszwertii'' ** ''Lathyrus lanszwertii'' var. ''pallescens'' *'' Lathyrus latifolius'' – everlasting pea, perennial pea *'' Lathyrus laxiflorus'' *''

Lathyrus lentiformis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus leptophyllus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus libani ''Lathyrus libani'', the Lebanon Lathyrus, vetchling is a species of wild peas in the legume family, Fabaceae. It grows in mountainous regions of the Eastern Mediterranean at elevations between to . References

Flora of Lebano ...

'' – Lebanon vetchling *'' Lathyrus linearifolius'' *'' Lathyrus linifolius'' – bitter vetch, heath pea *'' Lathyrus littoralis'' – silky beach pea *''

Lathyrus lomanus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus lycicus'' *'' Lathyrus macropus'' *'' Lathyrus macrostachys'' *'' Lathyrus magellanicus'' *'' Lathyrus marmoratus'' *''

Lathyrus meridensis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus miniatus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus mulkak'' *'' Lathyrus multiceps'' *'' Lathyrus multijugus'' *'' Lathyrus nervosus'' – Lord Anson's blue pea *'' Lathyrus neurolobus'' *'' Lathyrus nevadensis'' – Sierra pea *'' Lathyrus niger'' – black pea *''

Lathyrus nigrivalvis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus nissolia ''Lathyrus nissolia'', the grass vetchling, is a species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae.Streeter D, Hart-Davies C, Hardcastle A, Cole F, Harper L. 2009. ''Collins Flower Guide''. Harper Collins Its common name refers to t ...

'' – grass vetchling *''

Lathyrus nitens ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus nivalis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus numidicus'' *'' Lathyrus ochroleucus'' – cream pea *'' Lathyrus ochrus'' – Cyprus-vetch *''

Lathyrus odoratus The sweet pea, ''Lathyrus odoratus'', is a flowering plant in the genus ''Lathyrus'' in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands. It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of , where suit ...

'' – sweet pea *'' Lathyrus oleraceus'' – pea *''

Lathyrus pallescens ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus palustris'' – marsh pea *''

Lathyrus pancicii ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus pannonicus'' *''

Lathyrus paraguariensis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus paranensis'' *''

Lathyrus parodii ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native species, native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Eu ...

'' *'' Lathyrus pauciflorus'' – fewflower pea *'' Lathyrus pisiformis'' *'' Lathyrus polyphyllus'' – leafy pea *''

Lathyrus pratensis ''Lathyrus pratensis'' or meadow vetchling, yellow pea, meadow pea and meadow pea-vine, is a perennial legume that grows to 1.2 m in height. The hermaphrodite flowers are pollinated by bees. As a perennial, this plant reproduces itself over man ...

'' – meadow vetchling *'' Lathyrus pseudocicera'' *'' Lathyrus pubescens'' *'' Lathyrus pusillus'' – tiny pea, singletary vetchling *''

Lathyrus pygmaeus ''Lathyrus pygmaeus'' is a legume that is native to Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. This species seems to be of an unknown specific distribution and more research may be needed, since much information is Data deficient. References {{Taxonbar, fr ...

'' *'' Lathyrus quinquenervius'' *''

Lathyrus rigidus ''Lathyrus rigidus'' is a species of wild pea known by the common name stiff pea. It is native to the Modoc Plateau and surrounding areas in the western United States from northeastern California to Idaho. It is a plant of the sagebrush scrub an ...

'' – stiff pea *'' Lathyrus roseus'' *''

Lathyrus rotundifolius ''Lathyrus rotundifolius'', the Persian everlasting pea, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to Iran. Growing to tall, this herbaceous perennial climber has twining, clinging tendrils and brick red flowers in summer ...

'' *'' Lathyrus satdaghensis'' *''

Lathyrus sativus ''Lathyrus sativus'', also known as grass pea, cicerchia, blue sweet pea, chickling pea, chickling vetch, Indian pea, white pea and white vetch, is a legume (family Fabaceae) commonly grown for human consumption and livestock feed in Asia and Eas ...

'' – Indian pea, white pea, chickling vetch *''

Lathyrus saxatilis ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus sericeus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus setifolius'' *'' Lathyrus spathulatus'' *'' Lathyrus speciosus'' *'' Lathyrus sphaericus'' – grass pea *'' Lathyrus splendens'' – pride of California *'' Lathyrus stenolobus'' *'' Lathyrus stenophyllus'' *''

Lathyrus subandinus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus subulatus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus sulphureus'' – snub pea *'' Lathyrus sylvestris'' – flat pea *'' Lathyrus tauricola'' *'' Lathyrus tefennicus'' *'' Lathyrus tingitanus'' – Tangier pea *'' Lathyrus torreyi'' – Torrey's peavine *'' Lathyrus × tournefortii'' *'' Lathyrus trachycarpus'' *'' Lathyrus tracyi'' *'' Lathyrus transsylvanicus'' *'' Lathyrus tremolsianus'' *''

Lathyrus tropicalandinus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *''

Lathyrus tuberosus ''Lathyrus tuberosus'' (also known as the tuberous pea, tuberous vetchling, earthnut pea, aardaker, or tine-tare) is a small, vine, climbing perennial plant, native in moist temperate parts of Europe and Western Asia. The plant is a trailer or w ...

'' – tuberous pea *'' Lathyrus tukhtensis'' *'' Lathyrus undulatus'' – wavy pea *'' Lathyrus vaniotii'' – Korean mountain vetchling *''

Lathyrus venetus ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus venosus'' – veiny pea, bushy vetchling *''

Lathyrus vernus ''Lathyrus vernus'', the spring vetchling, spring pea, or spring vetch, is a species of flowering herbaceous plant, herbaceous perennial plant in the genus ''Lathyrus'', native plant, native to forests of Europe and Siberia. It forms a dense clum ...

'' – spring pea *'' Lathyrus vestitus'' – Pacific pea *'' Lathyrus vinealis'' *''

Lathyrus vivantii ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus whitei'' *''

Lathyrus woronowii ''Lathyrus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings, they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species ...

'' *'' Lathyrus zalaghensis''

Ecology

''Lathyrus'' species are used as food plants by the

larva A larva (; : larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into their next life stage. Animals with indirect development such as insects, some arachnids, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase ...

e of some

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) or lepidopterans is an order (biology), order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organ ...

species, including the

grey chi The grey chi (; ''Antitype chi'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was Species description, first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae, 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is distributed througho ...

(''Antitype chi'') and the

latticed heath The latticed heath (''Chiasmia clathrata'') is a moth of the family Geometridae, belonging to the subfamily Ennominae, placed in the tribe Macariini. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. Taxon ...

(''Chiasmia clathrata''), both recorded on meadow vetchling (''Lathyrus pratensis''), and '' Chionodes braunella''. ''Lathyrus'' growth abundance and size both decrease in response to increased temperatures in montane meadows.

Uses

Several species are grown for food, including the

(''Lathyrus oleraceus''), Indian pea (''L. sativus''), and the red pea (''L. cicera''), and less commonly cyprus-vetch (''L. ochrus'') and

Spanish vetchling ''Lathyrus clymenum'', also called Spanish vetchling, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Mediterranean. The seeds are used to prepare a Greek dish called fava santorinis. The plant is cultivated on the island of Santorin ...

(''L. clymenum''). The tuberous pea (''L. tuberosus'') is grown as a

root vegetable Root vegetables are underground plant parts eaten by humans or animals as food. In agricultural and culinary terminology, the term applies to true roots, such as taproots and root tubers, as well as non-roots such as bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and ...

for its starchy edible

tuber Tubers are a type of enlarged structure that plants use as storage organs for nutrients, derived from stems or roots. Tubers help plants perennate (survive winter or dry months), provide energy and nutrients, and are a means of asexual reproduc ...

. The

seed In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...

s of some ''Lathyrus'' species contain the toxic

amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although over 500 amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the 22 α-amino acids incorporated into proteins. Only these 22 a ...

oxalyldiaminopropionic acid Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid (ODAP) is a structural analogue of the neurotransmitter glutamate found in the grass pea ''Lathyrus sativus''. It is the neurotoxin responsible for the motor neuron degeneration syndrome lathyrism. Sources ODAP is foun ...

and if eaten in large quantities can cause

lathyrism Lathyrism is a condition caused by eating certain legumes of the genus ''Lathyrus''. There are three types of lathyrism: ''neurolathyrism'', ''osteolathyrism'', and ''angiolathyrism'', all of which are incurable, differing in their symptoms and ...

, a serious disease. Many species are cultivated as garden plants. The genus includes the garden

sweet pea The sweet pea, ''Lathyrus odoratus'', is a flowering plant in the genus '' Lathyrus'' in the family Fabaceae ( legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands. It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of , where ...

(''Lathyrus odoratus'') and the

everlasting pea (''Lathyrus latifolius'').

Flower Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...

s on these cultivated species may be rose, red, maroon, pink, white, yellow, purple or blue, and some are bicolored. They are also grown for their fragrance. Cultivated species are susceptible to

fungal A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one of the tradit ...

infections including

downy Downy, also known as Lenor in Europe, Taiwan and Japan, is an American brand of fabric softener produced by Procter & Gamble that was introduced in 1960. Brand history Lenor is a brand name of fabric softener and dryer sheets, also produced by ...

and

powdery mildew Powdery mildew is a fungus, fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew diseases are caused by many different species of Ascomycota, ascomycete fungi in the order Erysiphales. Powdery mildew is one of the easier plant disea ...

Notes

External links

*
Calflora Database: ''Lathyrus'' species index

Jepson Flora Project: Key to ''Lathyrus''
{{Authority control Fabaceae genera Garden plants Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus