Scientific Name
Lathyrus spp.
Common Name
Sweet pea, everlasting pea, vetchlings, singletary pea

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
Annual or perennial, herbaceous vines with winged stem; leaves alternate, pinnately divided, each with 2 or more leaflets and a terminal tendril; flowers pea-like in elongated clusters, pink; fruit a flattened pod.
Origin
Eurasia , USA, and elsewhere.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas native in low woods, bottomlands; weedy in disturbed areas, escaped along roadsides, in waste places, fields; landscape cultivated in flower gardens as perennial or annual herbaceous vine.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Seeds.
Symptoms
"Lathyrism": paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Peas and very young pods HARVEST TIME: Only collect peas and young pods from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect young pods in early summer and peas slightly later. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Soak peas and young pods in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Boil in salted water with a dash of sugar. Cook until bright green and tender. Or, stir fry young pods with other vegetables . SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, New York. 190 pp.
Toxic Principle
Amine, phenol, and glycoside.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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