Grass Pea
Lathyrus sphaericus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Madeira, Morocco, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Uganda
Josep Gesti
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lathyrus
- Species:
- Lathyrus sphaericus
- USDA Symbol:
- LASP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat and cold stratify for 30-60 days to break dormancy.