Sweet pea

March 20th Birth Flower: "Sweet Pea (Scientific name: Lathyrus odoratus)"

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is an annual climbing herbaceous plant of the legume family (Fabaceae) and genus Lathyrus, native to the island of Sicily, Italy. It is also known by other names such as "Musk Renriso" "Musk Pea" , and "Fragrant Pea", all of which refer to the faintly sweet, musky fragrance of its flowers. However, these names are rarely used. It was introduced to Japan during the Edo period in the 19th century (Bunkyū era).

In 1650, a priest discovered the flower in the garden of an Italian monastery. The wild species had flowers measuring 2.5 to 3 cm in diameter and were pale purple in color. In 1699, it was sent to England, where breeding and improvement began in the 18th century. The first cultivated variety bore white flowers, followed by the development of numerous horticultural varieties over time. Today, many varieties differ in plant height (from dwarf to tall), climbing or non-climbing growth habit, flower color, flower size, and blooming period.

The plant grows to a height of 30 cm (dwarf non-climbing) to 200 cm (tall climbing). The leaves are pinnately compound, with the lower leaflets remaining as a pair while the rest develop into tendrils that enable the plant to climb by entwining itself around other objects. When cultivated, a support structure is required.

When grown outdoors, the plant produces long flower stalks from the leaf axils during spring to early summer, bearing 2 to more than 10 pastel-colored, butterfly-shaped five-petaled flowers in raceme inflorescences. The cultivated varieties have flowers measuring 4 to 5 cm in diameter and come in various colors, including pink, red, white, orange, purple, and blue, with some featuring bicolored or streaked patterns. However, naturally occurring yellow varieties have not been bred, so any yellow sweet pea flowers seen are artificially dyed.

The flowers closely resemble those of the pea plant (Pisum sativum), which also belongs to the Fabaceae family. The calyx is bell-shaped with five lobes at the tip. In Japan, sweet peas are primarily cultivated for ornamental purposes, with major production areas in Miyazaki and Okayama Prefectures. Although it belongs to the legume family, its seeds are not edible. In fact, consuming them can be toxic and may cause spastic paralysis.

Origin of the Flower Name
The name "Sweet Pea" refers to its characteristic sweet fragrance as a leguminous plant. The genus name Lathyrus comes from the Latin word for "pea," while the species name odoratus means "fragrant" in Latin.

Flower Meanings
The flower symbolizes "departure," "new beginnings," and "farewell," inspired by its butterfly-shaped petals that appear ready to take flight. The white variety represents "gentle joy."

Varieties of Sweet Pea
There are various cultivated varieties, including the dwarf, non-climbing type "Little Sweetheart," the spring-blooming "Royal Series," and the winter-blooming "Spencer Series" and "Multiflora Series," which are commonly used for cut flowers. Among them, the white-flowered "Lily," the pink-flowered "Gloria," and the red-flowered "American Beauty" are well-known. Additionally, the "Cupid Series" is a winter-blooming dwarf variety.

Perennial varieties include Lathyrus latifolius (Broadleaf Renriso).

The Queen Who Loved Sweet Peas
Sweet peas were the beloved flowers of Queen Alexandra of the Edwardian era in England.

General name: Sweet pea,
Scientific name: Lathyrus odoratus,
Origin: Sicily Island (Italy), Plant height: 30 (dwarf non-dwarf)- 200 (high sexual fertility) cm, stem: winged,
Leaf shape: winged compound leaf, but leaving two sheets and becoming curled, phylogeny: alternation, leaflet: oval,
Flowering period: year-round (full bloom, April to July), flower stem's length: 20 cm, flower diameter: 4 to 5 cm, flower color: peach, red, white, purple, blue,
Note : All grass poisoning, especially beans are inedible.

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Sweet pea（Lathyrus odoratus）

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