Pea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• garden pea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pisum sativum var. variegatum
• Pisum sativum subsp. hortense
• Pisum sativum var. arvense
• Lathyrus oleraceus subsp. biflorus
• Pisum sativum var. elatius
• Pisum arvense subsp. biflorum
• Pisum sativum subsp. biflorum
• Pisum sativum var. schevczenkoi
• Pisum sativum var. flavidovexilleum
• Pisum sativum var. heraticum
• Pisum granulatum
• Pisum arvense var. variegatum
• Pisum elatius f. album
• Pisum arvense var. rufum
• Pisum sativum subsp. pachylobum
• Pisum sativum var. nanum
• Pisum sativum convar. speciosum
• Pisum arvense var. umbellatum
• Pisum sativum var. fulvum
• Pisum sativum var. umbellatum
• Pisum sativum var. serratum
• Pisum arvense var. humile
• Pisum sativum var. subifoliatum
• Pisum sativum var. quadratum
• Pisum sativum var. smyrnense
• Pisum arvense var. album
• Pisum sativum var. melanocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. rugosum
• Pisum sativum var. capucinorum
• Pisum arvense var. abyssinicum
• Pisum sativum var. caeruleum
• Pisum sativum var. saccharatum
• Pisum sativum var. roseum
• Pisum sativum f. abyssinicum
• Pisum sativum var. jomardii
• Pisum arvense var. quadratum
• Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum
• Pisum sativum subsp. abyssinicum
• Pisum sativum var. marmoratum
• Pisum arvense var. leptolobum
• Pisum sativum var. thebaicum
• Pisum sativum var. hortense
• Pisum sativum var. navale
• Pisum arvense var. ramulare
• Pisum sativum var. hibernicum
• Pisum sativum var. praecox
• Pisum sativum var. brevipedunculatum
• Pisum sativum var. sanguivittatum
• Pisum sativum var. zeylanicum
• Pisum sativum var. pumilio
• Pisum sativum var. viridipunctulum
• Pisum sativum var. gloriosum
• Pisum sativum convar. medullare
• Pisum sativum var. humile
• Pisum sativum var. cimitari
• Pisum sativum var. burbridgii
• Lathyrus oleraceus var. arvensis
• Pisum sativum var. bedmannii
• Pisum sativum subsp. commune
• Pisum sativum var. pervicaz
• Pisum sativum var. climax
• Pisum leptolobum
• Pisum sativum var. hollandicum
• Pisum oleraceus var. govorovii
• Pisum sativum var. perfectum
• Pisum macrocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. unionis
• Pisum sativum var. waterlooensis
• Pisum hortense
• Pisum sativum var. garbuttii
• Pisum sativum var. zelenovii
• Pisum sativum var. denyeri
• Pisum macrospermum
• Pisum sativum var. jessenii
• Pisum sativum var. ziganokii
• Pisum sativum var. schneebergeri
• Pisum sativum var. melioratum
• Pisum sativum var. drozdii
• Pisum sativum var. laurentii
• Pisum sativum subsp. pumilio
• Pisum sativum var. reginae
• Pisum sativum var. popovae
• Pisum sativum var. scoticum
• Pisum sativum var. wardii
• Pisum sativum var. polycarpum
• Pisum sativum var. ramstadinum
• Pisum sativum subsp. brevipedunculatum
• Pisum sativum var. concertator
• Pisum sativum var. miroshnikovae
• Pisum sativum var. balticum
• Pisum sativum var. heinemannii
• Pisum sativum var. zubovii
• Pisum sativum var. pliculum
• Pisum sativum
• Pisum sativum convar. glaucospermum
• Pisum sativum subvar. pomaceum
• Pisum sativum var. borussicum
• Pisum praecox
• Pisum sativum var. woodfortii
• Pisum sativum subvar. limitatum
• Pisum sativum var. nanoviride
• Pisum sativum var. belgicum
• Pisum sativum var. rourkeanum
• Pisum sativum var. cirriferum
• Pisum sativum var. anglicum
• Pisum saccharatum
• Pisum sativum var. folgeri
• Pisum sativum var. debelii
• Pisum sativum var. willichii
• Pisum humile
• Pisum sativum var. pretiosum
• Pisum sativum var. funiculatum
• Pisum thebaicum
• Pisum sativum var. aphyllum
• Pisum sativum var. gratiosum
• Pisum sativum var. humillimum
• Pisum sativum var. floridum
• Pisum sativum var. fonticulorum
• Pisum ramulare
• Pisum sativum var. megalepiscopi
• Pisum sativum var. moniliforme
• Pisum sativum var. episcopi
• Pisum quadratum
• Pisum sativum var. beckii
• Pisum sativum var. indehiscens
• Pisum sativum var. pseudepiscopi
• Pisum pumilio
• Pisum sativum var. mumiorum
• Pisum sativum var. solovjevae
• Pisum sativum var. raglanii
• Pisum prolificum
• Pisum sativum convar. vulgare
• Pisum sativum var. persistens
• Pisum sativum var. vitellinum
• Pisum sativum subsp. arvense
• Pisum sativum var. mesomelan
• Pisum sativum subvar. phaeospermum
• Pisum sativum var. coronatum
• Pisum sativum var. ponderosum
• Pisum sativum var. arcuatum
• Pisum sativum var. alosti
• Pisum sativum var. postrourkeanum
• Pisum biflorum
• Pisum sativum var. princeps
• Pisum sativum var. extraordinarium
• Pisum sativum var. majale
• Pisum elatius var. eriospermum
• Pisum sativum var. sumbajale
• Pisum arvense
• Pisum sativum var. postmajale
• Pisum elatius var. leiospermum
• Pisum sativum var. michauxii
• Pisum sativum var. richardsonii
• Pisum sativum subsp. macrocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. solis
• Pisum abyssinicum
• Pisum sativum var. bonum
• Pisum sativum var. govorovii
• Pisum sativum var. zaubitzii
• Pisum sativum var. macrocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. stuartii
• Pisum jomardii
• Pisum sativum var. genabanum
• Pisum sativum var. dicksonii
• Pisum sativum var. erfurtense
• Pisum sativum var. mellitum
• Pisum sativum var. storkii
• Lathyrus oleraceus subsp. oleraceus
• Pisum sativum convar. xiphocarpum
• Pisum sativum subsp. saccharatum
• Lathyrus schaeferi
• Pisum sativum var. dinocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. doratocarpum
• Pisum elatum
• Pisum sativum var. compocarpum
• Pisum commune
• Pisum sativum var. cerocarpum
• Pisum sativum var. procerum
• Pisum coccineum
• Pisum sativum convar. axiphium
• Pisum sativum var. furcans
• Pisum sativum var. durius
• Pisum elatius
• Pisum sativum var. melileucum
• Pisum variegatum
• Pisum sativum var. affine
• Pisum uniflorum
• Pisum sativum var. wickeri
• Pisum umbellatum
• Pisum sativum var. microspermum
• Pisum tuffetii
• Pisum sativum var. microtatum
• Pisum vulgare
• Pisum sativum var. pedale
• Pisum sativum var. patris
• Pisum tetragonum
• Pisum sativum subsp. elatius

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and specifically within the genus Lathyrus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found within the borders of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also documented in Austria and Belgium. Additionally, its range extends through the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. These diverse locations highlight the varied environmental niches the plant occupies throughout the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lathyrus oleraceus is characterized by a broad environmental tolerance, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical settings across a significant vertical gradient. It can be found at various altitudes, ranging from sea level at 0 m AMSL to extreme high-altitude environments reaching a maximum elevation of 4000 m AMSL. In terms of specific microhabitats, the species is frequently observed growing within crop fields, where it integrates into agricultural landscapes.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Lathyrus oleraceus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical growth habit and structural classification, the species functions as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable environmental periods by existing primarily in the form of seeds. This strategy allows the plant to bypass periods of drought or extreme temperatures, ensuring that the biological cycle resets with the arrival of favorable conditions.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lathyrus oleraceus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting climber with a scandent shoot orientation. The plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a maximum height of 1 m, and an average plant height of approximately 1.325 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

1.325 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lathyrus oleraceus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a specialized ability for nitrogen fixation, which facilitates nutrient uptake in diverse soil environments. Its foliage is non-carnivorous, relying on standard autotrophic processes, with leaf morphology described as narrow-elliptic. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, and widths spanning from 0.8 cm to 4 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 207.5 cm²/g, reflecting its metabolic efficiency and leaf structure in relation to biomass production.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

narrow-elliptic

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

207.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lathyrus oleraceus begins with its flowering phase, which typically commences in May and concludes in June. The plant produces green flowers that vary in length from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. These flowers utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees identified as key pollinators. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, the plant develops a dry fruit in the form of a pod. These pods exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a mean of 5 cm (minimum 4 cm) up to a maximum of 8 cm, and widths ranging from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm. The fruit is characterized by being dehiscence, meaning it splits open to release its seeds. The seeds produced vary in mass from a minimum of 0.0235 g to a maximum of 0.3108 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.157 g. The seed volume is consistent at a mean and maximum of 190 mm³. Finally, the dispersal of the species is classified as anthropochorous, indicating that human activity plays a role in the movement and distribution of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit length mean:

5 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1.3 cm

Fruit width min:

0.9 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.3108 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1569533805 g

Seed mass min:

0.0235 g

Seed volume max:

190 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lathyrus oleraceus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Plant molecular biology
2. Biochimica et biophysica acta
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
5. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Leaf

1. Journal of molecular biology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Lathyrus oleraceus has 463 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Legumin, CHLOROPHYLL, STARCH, IRON, GIBBERELLIC ACID.

Legumin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biochemical genetics
3. The Biochemical journal
4. Plant molecular biology
5. Biochimica et biophysica acta

CHLOROPHYLL

1. Journal of embryology and experimental morphology
2. Photochemistry and photobiology
3. Biochemistry
4. Molekuliarnaia biologiia
5. The Biochemical journal

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke
2. British poultry science
3. Plant molecular biology
4. The British journal of nutrition
5. The Journal of nutrition

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry
3. The Biochemical journal
4. The American journal of clinical nutrition
5. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

GIBBERELLIC ACID

1. Acta biochimica Polonica
2. Folia microbiologica
3. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
4. Biochimica et biophysica acta
5. Biokhimiia (Moscow, Russia)

linoleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. FEBS letters
3. Biokhimiia (Moscow, Russia)
4. European journal of biochemistry
5. The Biochemical journal

methionine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. The Journal of nutrition
4. Biochimica et biophysica acta
5. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

sucrose

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Biochemical journal
3. Plant molecular biology
4. Plant physiology
5. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung

ATP

1. The Biochemical journal
2. FEBS letters
3. Biochemical and biophysical research communications
4. Acta physiologica latino americana
5. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

NADH

1. The Biochemical journal
2. Protein expression and purification
3. Analytical biochemistry
4. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
5. European journal of biochemistry

Activities

Lathyrus oleraceus has 721 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-HETE-Inhibitor.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in nutrition

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations