# arabian pea (*Bituminaria bituminosa*)

The Arabian pea is a special plant that grows in warm places. It has pretty flowers and is part of the pea family, which means it can help make the soil healthy.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Desert

![arabian pea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bituminaria_bituminosa_flower.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Iorsh, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bituminaria_bituminosa_flower.jpg)

## Appearance

The arabian pea is an upright, bushy perennial with distinctive trifoliate leaves and clusters of striking purple or bluish-purple, pea-like flowers. Its distinct tar-like scent, especially when crushed, helps differentiate it from other legumes in its habitat.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Bituminaria

## Interesting facts

- It can be found in many countries around the sunny Mediterranean Sea!
- Its scientific name, Bituminaria, means 'tar-like' because of its strong scent!
- The seeds of the arabian pea contain special compounds and should not be eaten!
- This plant's tiny flowers are perfect examples of the classic 'pea flower' shape!

## Special abilities

- **Nitrogen Fixer:** The arabian pea can enrich the soil by capturing nitrogen from the air and turning it into plant food.
- **Resilient Rooter:** The arabian pea has deep, tough roots that help it find water and survive long dry spells.
- **Tar-Scented Shield:** The arabian pea releases a strong, tar-like smell when touched, which helps deter hungry animals.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Its purple flowers attract these busy insects.
- **Eaten by:** domestic sheep (*Ovis aries*) — Sheep graze on its leaves and stems in pastures.
- **Symbiotic with:** nitrogen-fixing bacteria (*Rhizobium leguminosarum*) — Lives in its roots, converting air nitrogen into plant food.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both.
- [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify arabian pea?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is arabian pea?

30-100 cm

### How wide does arabian pea spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on arabian pea?

0.5-1.5 cm

### When does arabian pea bloom?

Spring to early summer

### Is arabian pea edible?

No

### Is arabian pea toxic?

Mild

### What is arabian pea's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Arabian Pea: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arabian-pea)