Lathyrus
A group of climbing and bushy legumes with colorful, often fragrant flowers
Lathyrus is a genus of about 160 legume species, including both annuals and perennials. These plants are found in temperate regions and are known for their climbing or bushy forms and flowers in shades of pink, red, white, yellow, purple, and blue. Some are grown for food or as garden ornamentals, but certain species can be toxic if eaten in large amounts.
- Includes about 160 species of legumes
- Flowers appear in many colors, often fragrant
- Some species are grown for food, others for gardens
- Certain seeds can be toxic if eaten in large amounts
What does Lathyrus look like?
Lathyrus plants can be either climbing or bushy, with slender stems and leaves that often end in tendrils. Their flowers are typically showy and come in a range of colors, including pink, red, maroon, white, yellow, purple, and blue, with some varieties displaying two colors. Some species, such as the sweet pea, are known for their pleasant scent. The genus includes both annual and perennial species, and some produce edible seeds or tubers.
Where does Lathyrus come from?
Lathyrus species are native to many temperate parts of the world, with the greatest diversity found in Europe and Asia. They also occur in North America, tropical East Africa, and temperate South America. The genus includes species that were once classified separately, such as those in the Orobus group. The Latin name Pisum, meaning pea, has also been used for this group in the past.
When and how Lathyrus blooms
Lathyrus species grow as either annuals or perennials, depending on the type. They are typically sown from seed and thrive in temperate climates. Some, like the sweet pea, are popular in gardens for their colorful and sometimes fragrant blooms. The tuberous pea is cultivated for its edible root. These plants can be affected by fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
How Lathyrus is used
People grow Lathyrus species for various reasons. Some, such as the garden sweet pea and everlasting pea, are valued as ornamental plants for their flowers and scent. Others, like the Indian pea and tuberous pea, are grown for food, though some species contain toxins that can cause illness if consumed in large quantities. The plants also serve as food for certain butterfly and moth larvae.
Kinds of Lathyrus
The genus includes many species, such as Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea), Lathyrus latifolius (everlasting pea), Lathyrus sativus (Indian pea), and Lathyrus tuberosus (tuberous pea). Flower color and growth habit vary widely across the group, with some species adapted for climbing and others forming bushy clumps.
What Lathyrus means
Lathyrus species are grown in gardens around the world for their attractive and sometimes fragrant flowers. Some, like the sweet pea, are especially popular for cut flowers and decoration. However, the seeds of certain species contain a toxin that can cause lathyrism, a serious health condition, if eaten in excess.
Questions people ask about Lathyrus
Where do Lathyrus plants come from?
Lathyrus species are native to temperate regions across Europe, Asia, North America, tropical East Africa, and temperate South America.
What are Lathyrus flowers used for?
They are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and as cut flowers, and some species are cultivated for food, though care must be taken due to potential toxicity.
What colors do Lathyrus flowers come in?
Their flowers can be red, pink, maroon, white, yellow, purple, blue, and sometimes bicolored.
Are any Lathyrus plants poisonous?
Yes, the seeds of some species contain a toxin that can cause lathyrism, a serious disease, if eaten in large quantities.
Which insects use Lathyrus as a food plant?
Larvae of certain moths and butterflies, including the grey chi and latticed heath, feed on some Lathyrus species.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lathyrus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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