Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Description
An annual climbing plant with winged stems cultivated for its attractive fragrant flowers.
Highly fragrant flowers are about 3cm across, clustered in groups of up to 4 at the ends of robust stems that exceed the leaves and can range in colour from red, pink, purple, mauve to white.
Leaves are lightly hairy paired leaflets up to 6cm long and 3cm wide, ovate to oblong with terminal branched tendrils.
Toxicity
Symptoms
Accidental ingestion does not result in poisoning. However eating large quantities of seed for weeks to months can result in a paralytic syndrome. Symptoms can include paralysis, slow and weak pulse, breathing difficulty and convulsions.
Images
Details
Common name: Sweet pea
Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus
Family: Fabaceae
General description: An annual climbing plant with winged stems cultivated for its attractive fragrant flowers.
Flowers: Highly fragrant flowers are about 3cm across, clustered in groups of up to 4 at the ends of robust stems that exceed the leaves and can range in colour from red, pink, purple, mauve to white.
Leaves: Leaves are lightly hairy paired leaflets up to 6cm long and 3cm wide, ovate to oblong with terminal branched tendrils.
Fruit/Berries: The fruit are hairy pods to 6cm ripening green to brown with several globular grey-brown to black seeds.
Other: The sap is clear, stinging hairs are present.
Last updated: July 2023