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The genus Lathyrus are the sweet peas and vetchlings, flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. There are approximately 160 species of Lathyrus; they are native to temperate areas in both hemispheres and their range extends into mountainous parts of Africa. There are annual and perennial species which may be climbing or bushy.

The genus includes the garden sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) and the perennial everlasting pea (Lathyrus latifolius). Flowers on these cultivated species may be rose, red, maroon, pink, white, yellow, purple or blue and some are bicolored; they are also fragrant, which makes them a very popular garden plant. Cultivated species are susceptible to fungal infections including downy and powdery mildew.

Other species are grown for food, including L. sativus and L. cicera, and less commonly L. ochrus and L. clymenum.

Species

Including:
Lathyrus aureus - Golden Pea
Lathyrus annuus- Red Fodder Pea
Lathyrus chloranthus
Lathyrus japonicus - Sea Pea
Lathyrus latifolius - Everlasting Pea
Lathyrus linifolius - Bitter Vetch
Lathyrus nervosus - Lord Anson's Blue Pea
Lathyrus nissolia - Grass Vetchling
Lathyrus odoratus - Sweet Pea
Lathyrus pratensis - Meadow Vetchling
Lathyrus sativus- Indian Pea
Lathyrus sylvestris - Flat Pea-vine
Lathyrus tingitanus- Tangier Pea