Lathyrus odoratus aka Sweet Pea

The sweet pea, scientifically known as Lathyrus odoratus, is a flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. Native to Sicily, southern Italy, Cyprus, and the Aegean Islands, this annual climber can reach a height of 1-2 meters with the help of suitable support. It features pinnate leaves with two leaflets and a twining tendril that aids in climbing. The flowers of the sweet pea are usually purple in the wild, measuring 2-3.5 cm in diameter, but cultivars can vary greatly in color and size. Notably, sweet peas are known for their strong fragrance. They are often mistaken for the perennial everlasting pea, Lathyrus latifolius. Cultivated for centuries, sweet peas come in a wide range of pastel shades, including blue, pink, purple, and white, sometimes in bi-color combinations. Along with their captivating scent, sweet peas are popular for gardens and bouquets. These pea-like annuals can be grown in borders, woodland gardens, or trained to climb on trellises or arches. While the native Sicilian sweet peas had weak stems and a distinct orange-jasmine-honey aroma, modern hybrids have stronger stalks and larger blooms.