Flat pea, Wood pea
Lathyrus sylvestris

Family: Leguminosae

What it is like

Lathyrus sylvestris is a deciduous Perennial Climber growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Thickets and woods.

Eurasia - Norway through Britain to Spain, east to Western Siberia, the Caucasus and Greece

Conservation Status: Least Concern ver 3.1

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is used as a green manure and soil cover for preventing erosion and for rehabilitating degraded land. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, there are some named varieties. Nitrogen Fixer.

How it is grown

Lathyrus sylvestris is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20?c when fully dormant. Grows well in full sun and in light, dappled shade, succeeding in most moderately fertile, well-drained soils. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Suggested planting locations and garden types: Forest garden, Flower borders and beds Wall-side Borders Cottage & Informal Garden City & Courtyard Gardens. May be attacked by aphids, slugs and snails.

Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial Climber

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

All parts of the plant, but especially the seed, contain a toxic amino-acid. It is produced in the plant at about the same time that the seed starts to develop. In small quantities the amino acid is innocuous, and the seeds of several Lathyrus species are eaten as a nutritious part of the diet. However, in larger quantities (the seed should form less than 30% of a balanced diet), it can cause a very serious disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism'. Symptoms appear as a paralysis of the muscles below the knees, pains in the back, followed by weakness and stiffness of the legs and progressive locomotive incoordination.

Its other names

Local names

Flat pea, Wood pea, Narrow-leaved everlasting-pea, perennial Sweet Pea

Synonyms

L. platyphyllus Retz. L. silvester sensu auct. L. silvestris L. [Spelling variant]. Infraspecific taxa: L. sylvestris subsp. pyrenaicus (Jord.) O. Bol?s & Vigo