Everlasting Pea

(Lathyrus latifolius)

Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Plant a vine climbing over herbs and shrubs. Flowers large, showy, either purple-pink or white. Flowers arranged in loose clusters at the end of a long flower stalk. Stems and leaf petioles with thin wings. Leaves with 2 opposite leaflets and an apical tendril.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America.

Habitat: Everlasting Pea is a flower garden plant that commonly escapes to roadsides and fields.

Flowering period: June to September.

Similar Species: The large, showy flowers, the wings on the stems and petioles, and the opposite pair of leaflets with a terminal tendril easily identify Everlasting Pea.