Caley Pea
Lathyrus hirsutus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
No machine-readable author provided. Bogdan assumed (based on copyright claims).
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lathyrus
- Species:
- Lathyrus hirsutus
- USDA Symbol:
- LAHI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat (e.g., with sandpaper or hot water) before cold stratification to improve germination.