Caley Pea
/
(Lathyrus hirsutus)
Caley Pea (Lathyrus hirsutus)
/
Evan M. Raskin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Evan M. Raskin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Evan M. Raskin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Evan M. Raskin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-05-20T19:27:46Z |
Summary
Lathyrus hirsutus, commonly known as Caley Pea or Singletary Pea, is an annual herb that is native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, grasslands, and fields across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and has been introduced to North America. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) and has a sprawling habit. The plant produces winged stems and leaves comprising two leaflets with a terminal coiled tendril, which it uses for climbing. The flowers are purple to blue, blooming in late spring to early summer, and are followed by hairy seed pods.
Caley Pea is appreciated for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it beneficial for soil health. It is often used in wildflower mixes and as a cover crop to improve soil fertility. In gardens, it can be grown for its attractive flowers and as a climbing plant on trellises or fences. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in well-drained soils. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can become weedy and potentially invasive outside its native range, so caution is advised when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Caley Pea is appreciated for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it beneficial for soil health. It is often used in wildflower mixes and as a cover crop to improve soil fertility. In gardens, it can be grown for its attractive flowers and as a climbing plant on trellises or fences. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in well-drained soils. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can become weedy and potentially invasive outside its native range, so caution is advised when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Vine
- Height: 0.75-1.7 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Blue, Purple, Red
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, grasslands, and fields across Europe, North Africa, and Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Hairy Vetchling, Caley Pea
Scientific Names: Lathyrus hirsutus, Lastila hirsuta, Lastila hirsuta var. annua, Lastila hirsuta var. biennis, Lathyrus cicer, Lathyrus coerulescens, Lathyrus hirsutus f. brevipedunculatus, Lathyrus hirsutus var. brevipedunculatus, Lathyrus hirsutus var. ecirrhosus, Lathyrus hirtus
GBIF Accepted Name: Lathyrus hirsutus