What do wild peas look like? Wild peas are a climbing vine with small ovate leaves and vibrant magenta, red or purple flowers. Their pale green stems have a flat shape with ribbon-like “wings” on each side and coiled tendrils at the ends.
What do pea plants look like when they grow?
You will see that each head is a cluster of many small Pea flowers, each with its own banner, wings, and keel. As the flowers mature each one forms a tiny pea-like pod. I'll bet you never noticed that before!
Are wild peas the same as garden peas?
Wild peas are pretty much the same thing as garden peas, Pisum sativum, only much smaller. If you’ve ever eaten the pretty little beach peas, L. japonicus, at their peak, they are even sweeter than the daintiest petit pois. They were possibly the first wild food I ever ate, and are definitely the first wild food memory I ever had.
How big do sweet peas get?
The mature size will depend on the variety you choose to grow, but expect the vines to stretch to at least 6 to 8 feet tall. Sweet peas lend a cottage feel to gardens.
Where do wild peas grow?
Wild peas grow all over the world, from the boreal forests to the tropics. At last count, there were nearly 190 species of Lathyrus pea worldwide, and something like 70 in North America. Here in the West lies the greatest diversity of species.
How do you identify wild peas?
0:080:52Wild Edibles With Sergei Boutenko: Wild Sweet Pea - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWild sweetpea is a common weed in North America. It has bright pink purple or white flowers withMoreWild sweetpea is a common weed in North America. It has bright pink purple or white flowers with little green pea pods that resemble store-bought Pete's wild sweet pea is easily identifiable.
What happens if you eat wild sweet pea?
Sweet Pea Toxicity The seeds of sweet peas are mildly poisonous, containing lathyrogens that, if ingested, in large quantities can cause a condition called Lathyrus. Symptoms of Lathyrus are paralysis, labored breathing, and convulsions.
Are there wild peas?
Lathyrus vestitus, commonly called Wild Sweet Pea, is a member of the Fabaceae (pea family). This plant is considered endemic - a native, that grows only in California. Wild Sweet Pea can be found in chaparral and Oak woodlands at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,500 meters.
How do I know if my peas are edible?
Harvest sweet peas when the pods are still tender, juicy, and green. Pick them before the seeds inside over-mature and their pods begin to yellow. Sweet peas can be eaten raw if they're picked while they're tender and have brightly colored pods.
How do you tell the difference between peas and sweet peas?
0:231:35Is There a Difference Between Sweet Peas & Sugar Snap Peas? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother type of pea is the sugar snap pea. And these snap. When you break them open the pod and theMoreAnother type of pea is the sugar snap pea. And these snap. When you break them open the pod and the pea inside are both sweet tasty and edible. This is a snow pea.
Do deer eat wild peas?
White-tailed deer can and will eat it without being harmed and do so readily throughout the summer and fall. To establish new stands, partridge pea can be planted from March to May.
Are all peas edible?
Although garden peas, (Pisum sativum) such as English peas, edible podded peas and snow peas are edible, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are poisonous - especially the flowers and seeds.
What does beach pea look like?
Beach pea is a trailing plant that can grow up to 1.5 m long. The leaves are light green and oval-shaped, with slightly pointed tips. At the end of each stem of leaves (actually leaflets of one leaf) there are generally curling tendrils.
Where do wild sweet peas grow?
The Everlasting Pea will flower best grown in full sun, although it is tolerant of some shade. It growth is similar to the annual sweet pea clinging on with tendrils and it will climb or scramble over an obelisk, trellis or adjacent shrubs. It is very hardy, H7 which means it will survive the most severe of winters.
When should I pick my peas?
Most varieties of peas are ready to harvest 60 to 70 days after planting. Peas mature quickly, so check daily once you see the flowers in bloom. Pick snow peas when the delicate pods begin to show immature seeds inside.
What kind of peas have edible pods?
Peas with edible pea pods include sugar, Chinese and snow peas. Snow peas, also known as sugar peas, have edible flat pods with small peas inside them. Snap peas also have edible pods but they have full-size peas in them.
Are garden pea pods poisonous?
Sweet peas produce pods with peas inside them, and these are peas are poisonous, but only present a low toxicity hazard to humans.
Can you eat decorative sweet peas?
For the salad, you can use any pea in the pod. Some people were concerned about sweet peas being edible. There is an ornamental flowering sweet pea that is NOT edible. But these vines and flowers are from the sweet pea vegetable so can be eaten.
Can you eat sweet pea raw?
Garden peas are also sometimes called sweet peas or English peas. The pods are firm and rounded, and the round peas inside need to removed, or shelled, before eating (the pods are discarded). The peas are sweet and may be eaten raw or cooked; these are the common peas that are sold shelled and frozen.
Are sweet pea flowers edible?
Although garden peas, (Pisum sativum) such as English peas, edible podded peas and snow peas are edible, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are poisonous - especially the flowers and seeds.
Is Butterfly pea flower poisonous?
Butterfly pea flower is generally considered safe when used in moderation. Although there is no research on its side effects, some people have reported issues like nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Foliage Appearance
The sweet pea, a herbaceous perennial, sports lance-shaped foliage that flank the stems and petioles. The foliage gives the plant a winged appearance as it grows upwards in a twining habit. Each lance shaped leaf measures up to 3 1/2 inches in length, according to the University of Michigan. The leaves are a light green and smooth.
Flowers
The plant produces racemes of 4 to 14 flowers on the top of each stem. The flowers appear either pink with a purplish hue or white in color. Each flower measures up to 1 inch across. As the flower ages its color fades dramatically. The flowers hold no scent. The plant blooms over a two month period in midsummer.
Seed Pods
Seed pods appear following flowering. Each seed is a light green in color with no hair. The seed pod is flat and measures approximately 2 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide. Once the seed pod forms it immediately begins to dry and turn a light tan. When the pod is completely dry it splits open.
Seeds
The tiny, oblong seeds are dark brown in color and there are usually 10 to 25 per pod. They have a smooth appearance but the surface is covered in tiny dimples. When the seed pod forcefully expels the seed it simply rolls away from the parent plant to begin germination.
Growth Habits
The sweet pea utilizes its rhizome roots to propagate. Each root forms a flower stem that quickly begins to climb. The plant also spreads easily with its seeds.
Warning
The seeds of the plant are toxic. They contain a neuroactive amino acid. Both humans and livestock have died from ingesting the seeds, according to the University of Michigan.
Sweet Pea Care
Sweet pea (Latin name Lathyrus odoratus ), is a climbing annual or perennial member of the legume genus. Originating in the southwest of Italy and the islands of the Mediterranean, sweet pea has been cultivated for use in gardens since the 17th century.
Sweet Pea Varieties
'Old fashioned': Sweet peas labeled old fashioned should be very fragrant.
Pruning
To increase branching, which produces more flowering stems, pinch the growing tips back 1 inch when the plant reaches 4 inches tall. 1 Most sweet pea varieties will begin blooming in late spring or early summer. The more you cut the flowers, the more blooms you should get, so don't hesitate to bring some bouquets indoors.
How to Grow Sweet Pea From Seed
Sweet peas are usually direct sown. To assist germination, seeds should be scarified by nicking and/or soaking in water for several hours to soften the seed coating. 4 Seed can be started outdoors, as soon as the ground has warmed to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and is not too wet.
What is chickpea
Chickpea is a large genus of plants in the legume family ... It combines herbaceous and shrub plants. The most famous of these is lamb chickpeas, or chickpeas, the seeds of which are used for cooking.
Chickpea composition
Chickpea seeds - food with high nutritional value ... It is a source of healthy carbohydrates, zinc, folic acid, polyunsaturated fats. It contains more than 80 useful micro and macro elements.
Conclusion
Chickpea is a leguminous crop widely cultivated in Asian countries. It is appreciated for its rich vitamin and mineral composition. Food chickpeas are easier for the body to digest than other cereals and have a low calorie content, which is why they belong to dietary products.
Solution
The pea family is a very varied group. It covers a lot of ground (pun intended), from low-growing ground covers like white clover to trees like redbud and black locust. There is no trick to identifying the best and worst members.
What do you think? Should these have been in a different order? Did I leave anything out? What would your top 10 list look like? Let me know in the comments
Psst! Our Lawyer Wants You to Read This Big, Bad Medical Disclaimer –> The contents of this article, made available via The Grow Network (TGN), are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Uses
Characteristics
- Sweet peas are climbing plants that bear clusters of flowers in a wide variety of colors including red, pink, blue, white and lavender. They are early summer flowers with a long season of bloom and they make excellent cut flowers. The flowers resemble fringed butterflies while their stems appear folded. Luckily, the stems are sturdy enough to hold ...
Toxicity
- Unlike other types of this genus, sweet peas are toxic and the seeds should not be ingested by humans or pets.
Overview
- Sweet pea (Latin name Lathyrus odoratus), is a climbing annual member of the legume genus. Originating in the southwest Italy and the islands of the Mediterranean, sweet pea has been cultivated for use in gardens since the 17th century, but reached its modern forms under the work of Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford, who developed dozens of cultivars in the late 1800s.
Cultivation
- Sweet peas lend a cottage feel to gardens. They are often grown on bamboo tripods, but they will gladly grow through shrubby plants, much in the same way that clematis is sometimes used. Sweet peas also work well in a vegetable garden, attracting bees and other pollinators needed in the vegetable garden. They can be grown along the fence or mixed in with the pole beans. Swee…
Preparation
- Sweet peas are usually direct sown. To assist germination, seeds should be scarified by nicking and/or soaking in water for several hours to soften the seed coating. Seed can be started outdoors, as soon as the ground has warmed to about 50 degrees F. and is not too wet.
Diet
- During the growing season, sweet peas require steady, regular feeding and watering. Feed them monthly with a fertilizer high in potassium, such as a tomato fertilizer. Adding a bit of blood meal to the soil is thought to help keep the stems long and suitable for cutting.
Culture
- Most sweet pea varieties will begin blooming in late spring or early summer. The more you cut the flowers, the most blooms you should get, so don't hesitate to bring some bouquets indoors. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Avoid planting sweet peas in the same location year after year.
Varieties
- There are many wonderful sweet pea varieties available as seed. You can packet of individual colors or with a blend of colors. Remember that not all sweet peas are fragrant, so be sure to check the package.