Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Martha Mary'

Names

• Family

  Fabaceae

• Synonyms

  Sweet Pea, Everlasting Pea

• Common names

  Lathyrus odoratus.

Toxicity

• To humans

  Sweet pea, including the Lathyrus odoratus 'Martha Mary' variety, is considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. The seeds and seed pods are the most toxic parts of the plant. If someone consumes a significant quantity of the seeds or seed pods, they might experience symptoms like nausea, convulsions, and potentially damage to the central nervous system. Chronic ingestion can lead to a condition known as lathyrism, which can result in muscle weakness and paralysis.

• To pets

  Sweet pea, including the Lathyrus odoratus 'Martha Mary' variety, is also toxic to pets. The seeds and seed pods pose the greatest risk if ingested by animals. If a pet eats sweet pea seeds or pods, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures. Severe cases of poisoning could potentially lead to paralysis or more serious neurological effects. It is important to prevent pets from accessing and ingesting any part of the sweet pea plant to avoid these potential health issues.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Annuals

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Varies

• Height

  6 feet (1.8 meters)

• Spread

  1 foot (0.3 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  Varies

• Native area

  Mediterranean

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Sweet peas, including the 'Martha Mary' variety, are popular for their vibrant colors and delicate flowers, which enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
• Fragrance: Sweet peas are known for their distinctive and pleasant fragrance, which can add a delightful scent to gardens and floral arrangements.
• Attracts Pollinators: Sweet peas can attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden, aiding in the pollination of other plants.
• Vertical Interest: With their climbing habit, sweet peas can be grown on trellises or supports, adding vertical interest and maximizing garden space.
• Edible Flowers: Some sweet pea varieties produce edible flowers, which can be used to add color and a mild, sweet flavor to salads and other dishes.
• Cut Flowers: The blooms from sweet peas are popular as cut flowers due to their beauty and fragrance, ideal for bouquets and arrangements.
• Easy to Grow: Sweet peas are generally easy to cultivate, making them a good choice for novice gardeners and those looking for low-maintenance plants.
• Variety of Uses: Beyond their use in gardens, sweet pea flowers can be used in crafts, such as making potpourri, or for decorating cakes and desserts.

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

• Lathyrus odoratus 'Martha Mary', commonly known as Sweet Pea, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics or yarn, with the petals giving a range of colors from soft greens to yellows.
• The stems of Sweet Peas are strong and flexible and can be woven into small, decorative baskets or eco-friendly garden ties for supporting other plants.
• Sweet Pea petals are sometimes used in the crafting of natural potpourri mixtures due to their vibrant colors and pleasant scent, adding an aesthetic and fragrant touch to homes.
• With its distinctive flowers, the Sweet Pea can serve as an inspiration for artists and designers, influencing patterns in textiles, wallpapers, or other decorative motifs.
• After the blooms have faded, the dried seed pods of the Sweet Pea can be used in floral arrangements or as a part of a rustic decoration theme.
• Sweet Pea petals can be gently pressed and used in creating personalized stationery or bookmarks, capitalizing on their texture and color for a botanical touch.
• During themed events or garden parties, Sweet Pea flowers can be floated in a bowl of water for a simple and elegant table centerpiece.
• Children can engage in a learning activity by using the seeds of Sweet Pea for basic plant biology lessons, studying the life cycle from germination to flowering.
• The distinct fragrance of Sweet Pea flowers can be captured through enfleurage, a process to create natural, fragrant oils or solid perfumes.
• As a form of edible art, Sweet Pea petals can be used to decorate cakes and pastries for an edible floral accent, though the Sweet Pea plant is not edible and care should be taken to remove them before ingestion.

Feng Shui

Sweet pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

Sweet pea is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Blissful Pleasure: Sweet peas, which Lathyrus odoratus is commonly known as, are often associated with experiencing blissful pleasure due to their delightful fragrance and delicate appearance.
• Goodbye or Departure: Because of their fleeting nature, sweet peas can symbolize a farewell or the end of a pleasurable time, just as saying goodbye to a loved one after a joyful visit.
• Thankfulness: Giving sweet peas as a gift can express thanks for a lovely time or for the pleasure of someone's company, making them a symbol of gratitude.
• Delicate or Fleeting Nature: The sweet pea's tender blooms and short lifespan are often representative of delicate or ephemeral experiences in life.