Sweet Peas are also considered wildflowers. Once established, they will thrive and spread easily. If grown in a flower garden, they can get out of hand easily and overcrowd other flowers. Tip: To keep the flowers blooming, pick spent blooms before the seed begins to form.
What type of flower is a sweet pea?
The sweet pea flower (Lathyrus odoratus) is an annual climbing plant that is in the genus Lathyrus, a member of the Fabaceae, or legume family.
What is a sweet pea?
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 spring and early summer flowers with beautiful blooms and make excellent cut flowers. The flowers resemble fringed butterflies, while their stems appear to be folded.
How poisonous are sweet pea flowers?
Symptoms: Accidental ingestion does not result in poisoning. However eating large quantities of seed for weeks to months can result in a paralytic syndrome. Symptoms can include paralysis, slow and weak pulse, breathing difficulty and convulsions.
What is a wild pea?
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. Wild pea plants are entirely edible. The flowers and young tendrils have a sweet grassy vegetal flavor.
Do Bees like sweet peas?
Sweet pea flowers will attract especially honey bees, wild bee species and bumble bees in spring, summer and autumn. Sweet peas are rich in nectar and pollen and are ideal plants for every biodiverse garden. They have quite a long flowering period and will bring colour to your surroundings for a good part of the year.
Are sweet pea flowers toxic to dogs?
Is Solanum Nigrum Poisonous to Dogs? Although the name “sweet pea” (Lathyrus latifolius and L. odoratus) sounds innocuous and lovely as can be, the family Fabaceae plants are actually toxic to various animals, including dogs.
Is sweet pea a flower?
The sweet pea—Lathyrus odoratus—is an annual flower that is at home in a cutting garden, border garden, woodland, or twining on a trellis or an arch.
Why are they called sweet peas?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) derive their name from the Greek lathyros for pea or pulse, and the Latin odoratus, meaning fragrant.
Are sweet peas toxic to humans?
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.
Can you eat sweet peas raw?
Garden peas are sometimes called sweet peas or English peas. The pods are firm and rounded, but you must shell them, remove the peas inside, then discard the pods before eating. The peas are sweet and may be eaten raw or cooked; these are the peas you typically see canned or in the freezer section.
Do sweet peas grow wild?
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.
What to do with sweet peas when finished flowering?
Cut down your sweet peas when they finish flowering, but leave the roots in the ground as they have little nodules on them which will add nitrogen to your soil.
Is sweet pea invasive?
Annual or Perennial
In many areas of North America, the perennial sweet pea (L. latifolius) is an invasive problem, clogging open fields and roadsides. It looks pretty until you realize it’s crowding out other plants and acting like a thug.
Are sweet peas native?
The sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, is a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae (legumes), native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands.
Do peas grow wild?
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. You know them, even if you don’t know they are peas.
Do butterflies like sweet peas?
Sweet pea shrubs attract bees, butterflies, and birds, making them an excellent choice for wildlife gardens. It grows 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) tall and thrives in sun or shade.
What insects do sweet peas attract?
They bloom in late spring and summer and even through the fall in cool climates. Sweet peas attract butterflies.
Do sweet peas bloom all summer?
There are long-day, day-neutral, and short-day types. As the name implies, long-day sweet peas start producing flower buds when the days are longer than nights, and bloom between spring and summer, which is why they are often referred to as spring- or summer-flowering sweet peas.
Are sweet peas harmful to cats?
If you suspect your cat has ingested the everlasting pea in any quantity, take it to the vet immediately even if it is not showing symptoms. The everlasting pea plant, also called the sweet pea and the perennial pea, is a member of the Fabaceae family, which is toxic to domestic animals and horses.
Are marigolds toxic to dogs?
The marigold plant can be mildly toxic to dogs when ingested and can also cause irritation when contact is made with the fur and skin. Though the effects of this plant are not life-threatening in any way, your pet may experience discomfort with exposure.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.