Flower Properties

Flower Details

Description

A hardy perennial climber producing beautiful clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers. Unlike the garden sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), it has little or no fragrance. Widely grown in gardens and often found scrambling through hedgerows and roadsides.

Distribution

Native to southern Europe but naturalised across much of the UK.

Medicinal/Other Uses

No significant medicinal use.

Edibility

Not edible — seeds contain toxins similar to other Lathyrus species that may cause lathyrism, a neurological condition, if consumed in quantity.

Human Toxicity

Mildly_Toxic

Avoid ingestion of seeds by humans and pets.

Pet Toxicity

Seeds and pods toxic to cats, dogs, and livestock.

Active Compounds

Contains β-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), a neurotoxin, and other amino acid derivatives.