Sweet Pea
ExplorePlants
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet Peas are lovely flowers that smell wonderful! They come in many colors and are great for attracting bees and butterflies.
Habitat: Sweet peas love to climb in sunny gardens.
Appearance
The Sweet Pea is a climbing plant featuring delicate, often ruffled flowers in a stunning array of colors, including white, pink, purple, and bi-colors. Its blooms are known for their exquisite fragrance and unique butterfly-like shape, making them visually distinct.
KingdomPlantaePhylumStreptophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLathyrus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Gardeners sometimes 'deadhead' spent flowers to encourage even more blooms to appear.
Its scientific name "odoratus" means "fragrant," a perfect description of its lovely scent!
Sweet Peas were first brought to England from Sicily over 300 years ago!
Though beautiful, eating Sweet Pea seeds can cause mild stomach upset in humans.
Special abilities
Ability
Scent Siren
Sweet Pea has a strong, sweet fragrance that helps it attract pollinators like bees from a distance.
Ability
Tendril Grappler
Sweet Pea can grow long, coiling tendrils that help it grasp onto supports and climb upwards for sunlight.
Ability
Nitrogen Fixer
Sweet Pea has root nodules containing bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, enriching the soil.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 150-250 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Gathers pollen from the uniquely shaped flowers.
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Fixes nitrogen in root nodules, benefiting the plant.
Traits
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Lathyrus odoratus
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sweet Pea?
150-250 cm
How wide does Sweet Pea spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Sweet Pea?
2-4 cm
When does Sweet Pea bloom?
Spring to Summer
Is Sweet Pea edible?
No
Is Sweet Pea toxic?
Mild
What is Sweet Pea's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Sweet Pea pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
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