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Taxon  Report  
Lathyrus latifolius  L.
Everlasting pea,   Perennial pea,   Perennial sweet pea,   Sweet pea
Lathyrus latifolius is a perennial herb that is not native to California.
There is a high risk of this plant becoming invasive in California according to Cal-IPC.
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Observation Search
~2232 records in California
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
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Bloom Period
Genus: Lathyrus
Family: Fabaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Toxicity: Do not eat any part of this plant.

Communities: wetland-riparian, escaped cultivar

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
PLANTSLathyrus latifolius var. splendens
Information about  Lathyrus latifolius from other sources

[Wikipedia] Europe native: Lathyrus latifolius, the perennial peavine, perennial pea, broad-leaved everlasting-pea,[1] or just everlasting pea, is a robust, sprawling herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe but is present on other continents, such as North America and Australia,[2] where it is most often seen along roadsides. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Cal-IPC] Description, Invasive: Perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius; Fabaceae) is an herbaceous perennial vine in the pea family that has a long history in horticulture as an ornamental. It has naturalized throughout the United States, in Australia, and beyond its historic native range, across northern Africa and southern Europe. In California, this species can create monocultures in natural areas, though it is primarily associated with ruderal (roadsides and disturbed) sites. Perennial sweet pea reproduces by seed but persists and spreads locally mostly by rhizomes (underground), making it difficult to control once established. Its leaves are alternate and pinnately divided and have winged petioles. Tendrils on leaves are branched and its stems are winged. Individual plants typically grow to 3 - 6 ft. Perennial sweet pea is toxic to livestock. Cal-IPC Rating: Watch (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 12/11/2024).