Everlasting Pea Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl'

Names

• Family

  Fabaceae

• Synonyms

  Everlasting Pea, Perennial Pea, Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea, Eternal Pea, Sweet Pea, White Pearl

• Common names

  Lathyrus latifolius.

Toxicity

• To humans

  The plant commonly known as everlasting pea is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, other members of the genus Lathyrus, such as Lathyrus sativus, can cause a condition known as lathyrism if consumed in large quantities or as a significant part of the diet over time. Lathyrism is characterized by symptoms such as weakness and paralysis of the lower limbs, and neurotoxicity leading to a spastic gait, though such cases are rare and typically associated with regions where the seeds constitute a considerable part of the local diet.

• To pets

  The everlasting pea is not typically considered toxic to pets. However, as with humans, other members within the Lathyrus genus can be harmful. It's always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants not intended for consumption, as they could cause mild gastrointestinal upset or have unforeseen effects.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  White

• Height

  6 feet (1.83 meters)

• Spread

  3 feet (0.91 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  4-8

• Native area

  Southern Europe

General Benefits

• Ornamental Value: Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl', commonly known as the perennial pea, adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its white, sweet pea-like flowers.
• Low Maintenance: It is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established in a suitable site.
• Drought Tolerance: The perennial pea is quite drought-tolerant, making it ideal for gardens in drier climates or where water use is a concern.
• Rapid Growth: This plant has a fast growth rate, which makes it suitable for quickly filling in garden spaces or covering trellises and fences.
• Soil Adaptation: It adapts well to a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-draining soils.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination in the garden ecosystem.
• Long Blooming Season: Perennial pea has a long flowering period, often providing color and interest from late spring through to fall.
• Erosion Control: It can be used on slopes and banks to help prevent soil erosion due to its spreading growth habit.
• Non-Invasive: Unlike its cousin the annual sweet pea, Lathyrus latifolius is non-invasive and is less likely to overrun other plants in the garden.
• Coverage for Structures: It is ideal for covering unsightly walls, fences, or other structures in the garden.
• Cold Hardy: This plant is capable of surviving in colder climates, making it a robust addition to many gardens.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Textile dyeing: Sweet pea can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, yielding subtle hues when used in traditional dyeing processes.
• Companion planting: Sweet pea is often grown alongside vegetables as it can attract beneficial insects and potentially improve growth conditions for certain plants.
• Cut flowers: The long stems and attractive blooms make sweet pea a popular choice for cut flower arrangements.
• Garden decoration: With its climbing habit, sweet pea can be used to ornately cover trellises, arbors, or fences, offering a natural aesthetic touch to gardens and outdoor spaces.
• Crafts and dried arrangements: Dried sweet pea flowers can be used in crafts or as part of dried floral arrangements for interior decoration.
• Education: Sweet pea can be used in educational settings to teach children about plant growth, pollination, and the lifecycle of plants.
• Photography: The vivid blooms and attractive greenery of sweet pea make it an excellent subject for botanical and garden photography.
• Erosion control: The dense growth habit of sweet pea can help stabilize soil on slopes or banks, reducing erosion in certain landscapes.
• Culinary garnish: Although sweet pea is not edible, the flowers can be used as an ornamental garnish for plating in high-end culinary presentations, provided they are removed before consumption.
• Privacy screen: When grown densely, sweet pea can create a natural screen, providing privacy in gardens or on patios.

Feng Shui

The Everlasting Pea 'White Pearl' is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Everlasting Pea 'White Pearl' is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Everlasting Love: Lathyrus latifolius, commonly known as Perennial Pea 'White Pearl', is often associated with the idea of everlasting love due to its perennial nature and the way it returns year after year, reflecting a love that endures through time.
• Blissful Pleasure: The sweet fragrance and delicate blooms of the Perennial Pea 'White Pearl' are reminiscent of the joys and pleasures in life, symbolizing happiness and contentment.
• Departure: In the language of flowers, giving someone a Perennial Pea could imply a farewell or departure, perhaps because the blooms eventually wither away as a part of their life cycle, representing impermanence.
• Thankful Appreciation: Perennial Peas can also symbolize gratitude and appreciation. Their bountiful blooms and resilience make them an emblem for thanking someone for their support and steadfastness.