Summary
Lathyrus latifolius, also known as perennial pea or broad-leaved everlasting pea, is a perennial herb in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia and typically grows in fields, meadows, and other disturbed areas. The plant has broad, pinnate leaves and large, pink or purple flowers that bloom in the summer. The root of the plant is not edible and it is not considered to be toxic. The seeds of Lathyrus latifolius, like other species of Lathyrus, are toxic and not to be consumed, eating large amounts of them over a period of time can cause a neurological disorder called lathyrism.
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The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, or Lathyrus latifolius, is a beautiful and hardy perennial plant native to Europe and Asia. It is also commonly known as perennial pea, everlasting pea, or just simply Lathyrus.
This plant is a member of the legume family, and it can grow up to six feet tall, with a spread of about three feet. It produces attractive, dense clusters of pink, white, or red flowers that bloom from early summer through to fall. The flowers are pea-like in shape, with a distinctive sweet fragrance, making them popular with bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a robust and adaptable plant that can thrive in a wide range of growing conditions. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, and it can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils. It is also a very drought-tolerant plant, making it ideal for gardeners who want to save water.
One of the most notable features of the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This means that it can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by other plants. This makes it an excellent companion plant for other plants that require nitrogen, such as vegetables, fruits, and other legumes.
In addition to its ornamental value and its nitrogen-fixing properties, the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea also has a number of medicinal uses. It has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, fever, and skin conditions. The leaves and flowers of the plant are rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, or Lathyrus latifolius, is a beautiful and hardy perennial plant native to Europe and Asia. It is also commonly known as perennial pea, everlasting pea, or just simply Lathyrus.
This plant is a member of the legume family, and it can grow up to six feet tall, with a spread of about three feet. It produces attractive, dense clusters of pink, white, or red flowers that bloom from early summer through to fall. The flowers are pea-like in shape, with a distinctive sweet fragrance, making them popular with bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a robust and adaptable plant that can thrive in a wide range of growing conditions. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, and it can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils. It is also a very drought-tolerant plant, making it ideal for gardeners who want to save water.
One of the most notable features of the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This means that it can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by other plants. This makes it an excellent companion plant for other plants that require nitrogen, such as vegetables, fruits, and other legumes.
In addition to its ornamental value and its nitrogen-fixing properties, the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea also has a number of medicinal uses. It has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, fever, and skin conditions. The leaves and flowers of the plant are rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
One interesting fact about the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is that it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In ancient Greece, the plant was believed to have healing properties for wounds and skin conditions. It was also used as a remedy for respiratory ailments and fever. In traditional Chinese medicine, the roots of the plant were used to treat edema and high blood pressure.
Another notable characteristic of the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is its ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and as high as 40°C (104°F). This makes it a popular choice for gardeners in areas with extreme weather conditions.
The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is also a popular plant for cut flowers. Its long stems and attractive blooms make it a great addition to flower arrangements. However, it is important to note that the plant can be toxic if ingested, so it is important to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Overall, the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a versatile and valuable plant that offers many benefits to gardeners and nature lovers alike. Whether you're looking for an ornamental plant, a companion plant for your vegetable garden, or a natural remedy for common ailments, the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a plant that is well worth considering.
Facts about Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea
- Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, or Lathyrus latifolius, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia.
- It is also known as perennial pea, everlasting pea, or Lathyrus.
- The plant can grow up to six feet tall and produces dense clusters of pink, white, or red flowers that bloom from early summer through to fall.
- Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a hardy and adaptable plant that can grow in a wide range of growing conditions.
- It can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it an excellent companion plant for other plants that require nitrogen.
- The plant has medicinal uses and has been traditionally used to treat respiratory problems, fever, and skin conditions.
- The plant can become invasive in some areas, so it is important to keep it in check by cutting back its foliage after flowering and removing any unwanted seedlings.
- It can be grown as a climbing plant, using trellises or other support structures.
The Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a versatile and valuable plant that offers many benefits to gardeners and nature lovers alike. It is a hardy and adaptable perennial plant that produces attractive clusters of pink, white, or red flowers from early summer through to fall. It can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it an excellent companion plant for other plants that require nitrogen. It has medicinal uses and has been traditionally used to treat respiratory problems, fever, and skin conditions. It can become invasive in some areas, so it is important to keep it in check. It can be grown as a climbing plant, using trellises or other support structures. Overall, the Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea is a beautiful and versatile plant that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions.
Video
Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea filmed at these locations:
- Kilkenny National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire: 29th June 2023
- Ainsdale and Crosby in Lancashire: 3rd July 2023
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