Perennial Pea
Lathyrus latifolius
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Krym, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lathyrus
- Species:
- Lathyrus latifolius
- USDA Symbol:
- LALA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white, magenta
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons) Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Selasphorus Swainson Butterflies:Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, sunny habitats with fertile soil
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–28 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seeds by nicking or soaking in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Can be direct sown in fall for natural stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Resents transplanting. Requires darkness. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * plant in deep pot