Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus 'Toby Robinson'

Names

• Family

  Fabaceae.

• Synonyms

  Sweet Pea, Eternal Pea, Fragrant Pea, Garden Pea.

• Common names

  Lathyrus odoratus.

Toxicity

• To humans

  Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus 'Toby Robinson') is considered mildly toxic if ingested due to its content of amino acids, such as β-aminopropionitrile, found in the seeds and perhaps other parts of the plant. However, poisoning is generally rare as it's unlikely for humans to consume large quantities of the seeds or plant material. If large amounts are ingested, it can lead to a condition known as lathyrism. Symptoms of this condition include convulsions, paralysis, and potentially long-term neurological damage. Eating the seeds or plant parts can result in mild to severe symptoms, usually correlated with the quantity consumed.

• To pets

  Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus 'Toby Robinson') is also toxic to pets, particularly dogs and cats. The toxicity stems mainly from the seeds or seed pods, which contain the amino acid β-aminopropionitrile. This compound can interfere with the pets' metabolism and can lead to lathyrism if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms might include lethargy, pacing, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, and difficulty breathing. If a pet ingests sweet pea, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately to mitigate the effects and prevent more severe physiological consequences.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Annuals

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Mixed

• Height

  6 feet (1.8 meters)

• Spread

  1 foot (0.3 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  2-11

• Native area

  Mediterranean

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Sweet pea 'Toby Robinson' produces vibrant and colorful flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
• Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasing scent, which can create a fragrant atmosphere in outdoor spaces.
• Attracts Pollinators: Sweet pea 'Toby Robinson' attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
• Versatility: This plant can be used in various garden settings, including borders, trellises, and containers.
• Cutting Garden Addition: The long stems and attractive flowers make sweet pea 'Toby Robinson' ideal for cutting gardens, providing material for bouquets and floral arrangements.
• Easy to Grow: Generally, sweet peas are easy to grow and can be successfully cultivated by gardeners of all skill levels.

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 'Toby Robinson', commonly known as sweet pea, can be used for natural dyeing processes, providing a spectrum of colors from its petals when treated with different mordants.
• In some educational contexts, sweet pea plants serve as a tool for teaching children about the basics of plant growth and development due to their fast-growing nature and vibrant flowers.
• The sturdy vines of the sweet pea can be trained on trellises to create living green screens for privacy in gardens or on balconies.
• With their attractive flowers, sweet peas can be planted simply as companion plants to enhance the overall biodiversity and aesthetic of a vegetable garden.
• Practitioners of flower arranging may use sweet peas in pressed flower crafts, capitalizing on their diverse colors and shapes once dried flat.
• Sweet pea seeds are ideal for use in science experiments, particularly for genetics studies since they have been an historical subject of Mendelian genetics due to their distinctive inherited traits.
• The plant's climbing nature can be employed to create shaded areas by training them over pergolas or arbors, providing relief from the sun in the hotter months.
• The sweet pea cut flowers are commonly used in perfumery workshops, with their scent profile helping budding perfumers learn to distinguish subtleties between flower scents.
• Photographers and painters may use sweet pea plants as a natural backdrop or subject matter, respectively, to explore the theme of natural beauty and color contrast.
• For those practicing petal confetti creation, the petals of sweet pea can be added to the mix, offering biodegradable confetti options for celebrations.

Feng Shui

The Sweet Pea is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Sweet Pea is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Bliss and pleasure: Sweet pea, which is the common name for Lathyrus odoratus, is often associated with delicate pleasures and blissful experiences, reflecting the enjoyment one can find in its sweet fragrance and lovely blossoms.
• Goodbye or departure: Sweet pea can represent a fond farewell or goodbye, making it a thoughtful choice for someone who is leaving or embarking on a new journey.
• Thankfulness: The giving of sweet peas can symbolize gratitude and appreciation, making it a kind gesture to show thanks.
• Delicate pleasures: Its sweet scent and fragile appearance denote the finer, subtler pleasures of life, inviting one to appreciate the small joys.