# Pea (*Brasilocypria pea*)

Peas are small green vegetables that grow in pods. They are tasty and full of vitamins. People like to eat peas in soups, salads, and other dishes.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens, Farms
- **Also known as:** Field Pea, Garden Pea

![Pea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF_%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This work was made by Tushar Hossain and released under the license(s) stated below. Please feel free to use it for any purpose as long as y, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF_%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pea has delicate green vines that often climb using curly tendrils. Its small, butterfly-shaped flowers are typically white or purple, developing into swollen green pods containing round seeds. The overall plant has a lush, sprawling appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Fabales
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Genus:** Pisum

## Interesting facts

- A single pea pod can hold up to 10 or even more tiny peas!
- Pea plants can grow surprisingly tall, sometimes over 6 feet high!
- Peas are technically fruits, as they grow from a flower and contain seeds!
- Some ancient civilizations ate peas over 9,000 years ago!

## Special abilities

- **Nitrogen Factory:** Pea can capture nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil, thanks to tiny helpful bacteria living in its roots.
- **Climbing Grabbers:** Pea has special curly tendrils that grip onto supports, helping its vines climb high to reach more sunlight.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-180 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1.5-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Self

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** Rhizobium bacteria (*Rhizobium leguminosarum*) — fixes nitrogen in root nodules
- **Eats:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — a major cultivated food crop
- **Eaten by:** Pea Midge (*Contarinia pisi*) — larvae feed on developing pods
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar

## Traits

- [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Peas are safe to touch and eat when cooked, but avoid eating raw peas from the garden without checking with an adult.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pea?

Compare leaves, stems, flowers, pods and the part you eat. Seedlings can look like unrelated garden plants until their mature leaves come in. Vegetable Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pea?

30-180 cm

### How wide does Pea spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Pea?

1.5-3 cm

### When does Pea bloom?

Spring to early summer

### Is Pea edible?

Yes

### Is Pea toxic?

None

### What is Pea's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Ellen Trout Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ellen-trout-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo
- [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howletts-wild-animal-park) — England, GB · Zoo
- [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo

[View all places to see Pea](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pea)

## 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*)

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