The Charm of Lathyrus: A Gardener’s Appreciation
My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been drawn to the delicate beauty of flowering vines. Among my favorites is the genus Lathyrus, a diverse group of plants known for their vibrant blossoms and graceful climbing habit. These plants, belonging to the Fabaceae family (legumes), are commonly referred to as “sweet peas” or “vetchlings.” They bring a touch of wildness and elegance to any garden, and I find their versatility truly captivating.
A World of Variety
The Lathyrus genus encompasses a wide array of species, each with its own unique characteristics. Some are annuals, bursting into bloom for a single season, while others are perennials that return year after year. Their flowers come in a spectrum of colors, from the softest pastels to the boldest hues.
Here are fascinating species within the Lathyrus genus:
- Lathyrus acutifolius Vogel
- Lathyrus alamutensis Mozaff., Ahavazi & Charkhch.
- Lathyrus alpestris (Waldst. & Kit.) Kit.
- Lathyrus amphicarpos L.
- Lathyrus angulatus L.
- Lathyrus anhuiensis Y.J.Zhu & R.X.Meng
- Lathyrus annuus L.
- Lathyrus apenninus F.Conti
- Lathyrus aphaca L.
- Lathyrus armenus (Boiss. & A.Huet) Čelak.
- Lathyrus articulatus L.
- Lathyrus atropatanus (Grossh.) Širj.
- Lathyrus aureus (G.Lodd. ex Drapiez) D.Brândză
- Lathyrus basalticus Rech.f.
- Lathyrus bauhini P.A.Genty
- Lathyrus belinensis Maxted & Goyder
- Lathyrus berteroanus Colla
- Lathyrus biflorus T.W.Nelson & J.P.Nelson
- Lathyrus bijugus Boiss. & Noë
- Lathyrus binatus Pančić
- Lathyrus bitlisicus Peşmen & Güner
- Lathyrus blepharicarpos Boiss.
- Lathyrus boissieri Širj.
- Lathyrus brachycalyx Rydb.
- Lathyrus brachyodon Murb.
- Lathyrus brachypterus Čelak.
- Lathyrus brownii Eastw.
- Lathyrus cabrerianus Burkart
- Lathyrus campestris Phil.
- Lathyrus cassius Boiss.
- Lathyrus caudatus C.F.Wei & H.P.Tsui
- Lathyrus chloranthus Boiss. & Balansa
- Lathyrus chrysanthus Boiss.
- Lathyrus cicera L.
- Lathyrus ciliatidentatus Czefr.
- Lathyrus cilicicus Hayek & Siehe
- Lathyrus ciliolatus Sam. ex Rech.f.
- Lathyrus cirpicii Güneş
- Lathyrus cirrhosus Ser.
- Lathyrus clymenum L.
- Lathyrus colchicus Lipsky
- Lathyrus crassipes Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.
- Lathyrus cyaneus (Steven) K.Koch
- Lathyrus czeczottianus Bässler
- Lathyrus davidii Hance
- Lathyrus decaphyllus Pursh
- Lathyrus delnorticus C.L.Hitchc.
- Lathyrus dielsianus Harms
- Lathyrus digitatus (M.Bieb.) Fiori
- Lathyrus elegans Vogel
- Lathyrus elongatus (Bornm.) Širj.
- Lathyrus emodi (Wall. ex Fritsch) Fritsch ex T.Durand & B.D.Jacks.
- Lathyrus eucosmus Butters & H.St.John
- Lathyrus filiformis (Lam.) J.Gay
- Lathyrus fissus Ball
- Lathyrus formosus (Steven) Kenicer
- Lathyrus frolovii Fisch. ex Rupr.
- Lathyrus fulvus (Sm.) Kosterin
- Lathyrus glandulosus Broich
- Lathyrus gloeosperma Warb. & Eig
- Lathyrus gmelinii (Fisch. ex Ser.) Fritsch
- Lathyrus golanensis O.Cohen & Plitmann
- Lathyrus gorgoni Parl.
- Lathyrus graminifolius (S.Watson) T.G.White
- Lathyrus grandiflorus Sm.
- Lathyrus grimesii Barneby
- Lathyrus hallersteinii Baumg.
- Lathyrus hasslerianus Burkart
- Lathyrus heterophyllus L.
- Lathyrus hierosolymitanus Boiss.
- Lathyrus hirsutus L.
- Lathyrus hirticarpus Mattatia & Heyn
- Lathyrus hitchcockianus Barneby & Reveal
- Lathyrus holochlorus (Piper) C.L.Hitchc.
- Lathyrus hookeri G.Don
- Lathyrus humilis (Ser.) Fisch. ex Spreng.
- Lathyrus hygrophilus Taub.
- Lathyrus inconspicuus L.
- Lathyrus incurvus (Roth) Willd.
- Lathyrus japonicus Willd.
- Lathyrus jepsonii Greene
- Lathyrus karsianus P.H.Davis
- Lathyrus ketzkhovelii Avazneli
- Lathyrus komarovii Ohwi
- Lathyrus krylovii Serg.
- Lathyrus laetivirens Greene ex Rydb.
- Lathyrus laevigatus (Waldst. & Kit.) Gren.
- Lathyrus lanszwertii Kellogg
- Lathyrus latidentatus Elenevsky
- Lathyrus latifolius L.
- Lathyrus laxiflorus (Desf.) Kuntze
- Lathyrus layardii Ball ex Boiss
- Lathyrus ledebourii Trautv.
- Lathyrus lentiformis Plitmann
- Lathyrus leptophyllus M.Bieb.
- Lathyrus libani Fritsch
- Lathyrus linearifolius Vogel
- Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Bässler
- Lathyrus littoralis (Nutt.) Endl. ex Walp.
- Lathyrus lomanus I.M.Johnst.
- Lathyrus lycicus Boiss. & Heldr.
- Lathyrus macropus Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.
- Lathyrus macrostachys Vogel
- Lathyrus magellanicus Lam.
- Lathyrus marmoratus Boiss. & Balansa
- Lathyrus meridensis Pittier
- Lathyrus miniatus M.Bieb. ex Steven
- Lathyrus mulkak Lipsky
- Lathyrus multiceps Clos
- Lathyrus multijugus (Ledeb.) Czefr.
- Lathyrus nervosus Lam.
- Lathyrus neurolobus Boiss. & Heldr.
- Lathyrus nevadensis S.Watson
- Lathyrus niger (L.) Bernh.
- Lathyrus nigrivalvis Burkart
- Lathyrus nissolia L.
- Lathyrus nitens Vogel
- Lathyrus nivalis Hand.-Mazz.
- Lathyrus numidicus Batt.
- Lathyrus ochraceus Kitt.
- Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook.
- Lathyrus ochrus (L.) DC.
- Lathyrus odoratus L.
- Lathyrus oleraceus Lam.
- Lathyrus pallescens (M.Bieb.) K.Koch
- Lathyrus palustris L.
- Lathyrus pancicii (Jurišić) Adamović
- Lathyrus pannonicus (Jacq.) Garcke
- Lathyrus paraguariensis Hassl.
- Lathyrus paranensis Burkart
- Lathyrus parodii Burkart
- Lathyrus pauciflorus Fernald
- Lathyrus pisiformis L.
- Lathyrus plitmannii Greuter & Burdet
- Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt.
- Lathyrus pratensis L.
- Lathyrus pseudocicera Pamp.
- Lathyrus pubescens Hook. & Arn.
- Lathyrus pusillus Elliott
- Lathyrus pygmaeus Gomb.
- Lathyrus quinquenervius (Miq.) Litv.
- Lathyrus rigidus T.G.White
- Lathyrus roseus Steven
- Lathyrus rotundifolius Willd.
- Lathyrus satdaghensis P.H.Davis
- Lathyrus sativus L.
- Lathyrus saxatilis (Vent.) Vis.
- Lathyrus sericeus Lam.
- Lathyrus setifolius L.
- Lathyrus spathulatus Čelak.
- Lathyrus speciosus G.Don
- Lathyrus sphaericus Retz.
- Lathyrus splendens Kellogg
- Lathyrus stenolobus Boiss.
- Lathyrus stenophyllus Boiss. & Heldr.
- Lathyrus subandinus Phil.
- Lathyrus subulatus Lam.
- Lathyrus sulphureus W.H.Brewer ex A.Gray
- Lathyrus sylvestris L.
- Lathyrus tauricola P.H.Davis
- Lathyrus tefennicus Genç & Sahin
- Lathyrus tingitanus L.
- Lathyrus torreyi A.Gray
- Lathyrus × tournefortii (Lapeyr.) A.W.Hill
- Lathyrus trachycarpus (Boiss.) Boiss.
- Lathyrus tracyi Bradshaw
- Lathyrus transsylvanicus (Spreng.) Rchb.f.
- Lathyrus tremolsianus Pau
- Lathyrus tropicalandinus Burkart
- Lathyrus tuberosus L.
- Lathyrus tukhtensis Czeczott
- Lathyrus turcicus Hamzaoğlu
- Lathyrus undulatus Boiss.
- Lathyrus vaniotii H.Lév.
- Lathyrus variabilis (Boiss. & Kotschy) Čelak.
- Lathyrus venetus (Mill.) Wohlf.
- Lathyrus venosus Muhl. ex Willd.
- Lathyrus vernus (L.) Bernh.
- Lathyrus vestitus Nutt.
- Lathyrus vinealis Boiss. & Noë
- Lathyrus vivantii P.Monts.
- Lathyrus whitei Kupicha
- Lathyrus woronowii Bornm.
- Lathyrus zalaghensis Andr.
Cultivating Beauty
In my own garden, I’ve had great success growing both annual and perennial Lathyrus species. They thrive in well-drained soil and a sunny location. I find they do best with some support, such as a trellis or fence, to climb on.
One of the things I appreciate most about Lathyrus is their relative ease of care. Once established, they require minimal attention. Regular watering, especially during dry periods, and occasional fertilization are usually all they need to flourish.
Beyond the Garden
The appeal of Lathyrus extends beyond its ornamental value. Some species, like Lathyrus sativus, have been cultivated for centuries as a food source. However, it’s important to note that some Lathyrus species contain a neurotoxin that can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
Lathyrus also plays a role in ecological systems. As legumes, they have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving its fertility. Their flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of the garden.
A Continuing Fascination
My journey with Lathyrus is an ongoing one. I’m constantly discovering new species and cultivars, each with its own unique charm. Whether I’m admiring the vibrant colors of Lathyrus odoratus or the delicate beauty of Lathyrus vernus, I’m always filled with a sense of wonder. These plants are a testament to the diversity and beauty of the natural world, and I look forward to continuing to explore the captivating world of Lathyrus.
