Tangier Pea
ExplorePlants
Tangier Pea
lathyrus tingitanus
The Tangier Pea (Lathyrus tingitanus) is a captivating climbing annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. Belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae, this vigorous plant scrambles over surrounding vegetation using its branched tendrils. It is widely admired for its eye-catching, pea-like flowers and serves dual purposes as an ornamental garden plant and a cover crop for green manure. However, outside its native range, it has established itself as an invasive species in regions like California and parts of Australia due to its resilient nature and rapid spread. Historically linked to the port city of Tangier, this species has successfully adapted to a variety of soils, including sandy coastal habitats. While it brings vibrant color to landscapes, its seeds contain toxins that prevent it from being a safe food source for humans or livestock in large quantities. This makes it a fascinating example of a beautiful but ecologically complex wildflower.
Habitat: Found in open grasslands, coastal dunes, and disturbed areas like roadsides.
Appearance
The Tangier Pea features striking, deep reddish-pink to crimson-purple flowers that typically measure 2 to 3 centimeters across and grow either singly or in pairs. The plant is a climbing vine characterized by distinctly 'winged' stems, which are flat, green, and leaf-like. Its leaves are comprised of a single pair of lance-shaped leaflets and terminate in a highly branched tendril used for climbing. Following flowering, it produces flat, oblong, hairless green seedpods that turn brown as they mature, housing several smooth, dark seeds.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLathyrus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite being in the pea family, the seeds of the Tangier Pea contain lathyrogens, which can cause a neurological disease called lathyrism if consumed in large quantities.
Its stems are uniquely 'winged', meaning they have flat, leaf-like appendages running along the sides of the stem, which help with photosynthesis.
The species name 'tingitanus' refers to Tangier, Morocco, one of the locations in its native North African range.
Special abilities
Ability
Tendril Climbing
Utilizes highly sensitive, branched tendrils at the ends of its leaves to grasp nearby vegetation and climb toward sunlight.
Ability
Nitrogen Fixation
Forms a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria in its roots, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nutrients.
Ability
Explosive Seed Dehiscence
Its seedpods twist open rapidly when dry, forcefully ejecting seeds several feet away to colonize new areas.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 80-300 cm
- Lifespan
- 1 years
- Clutch Size
- 4-10
- Incubation
- 10-21 days
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, the Tangier Pea produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing minerals from the soil.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Soil minerals
Ecological connections
mutualism
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Bees visit the showy flowers for nectar and pollen, facilitating cross-pollination.
mutualism
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Provides nitrogen to the plant in exchange for carbohydrates.
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Graze on the foliage, although mature seeds can be toxic in high quantities.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Tangier Pea?
The easiest way to identify Tangier Pea is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Tangier Pea?
80-300 cm
How long does Tangier Pea live?
1 years
What does Tangier Pea eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, the Tangier Pea produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while absorbing minerals from the soil.
Where is Tangier Pea usually found?
Found in open grasslands, coastal dunes, and disturbed areas like roadsides.
How many eggs does Tangier Pea lay?
4-10
How long do Tangier Pea eggs take to hatch?
10-21 days
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