black pea
Also known as: black vetchling
L. niger is an upright perennial, to 90cm tall, with robust, wingless, branched stems and leaves comprising 3-6 pairs of elliptical leaflets up to 4cm long and lacking tendrils. Purplish flowers, that turn blue as they age, are borne in sprays of four to ten in late spring and early summer and are followed by black pods carrying 6-8 seeds. The plant derives its name from its foliage which turns black as it dies
Scientific classification
- Species
- black pea (Lathyrus niger)
- Genus
- Lathyrus
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Toxicity
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Plant type
- 0.5-1 metres
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Autumn · Spring · Summer
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
black pea pictures
Distribution of black pea
Distribution map
Europe, Africa, Asia
Information to be completed
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Pods and seeds are not edible. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of black pea
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black pea care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering and cut back in autumn
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed
Growing
GrowingGrow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. See sweetpea cultivation for further information
People also ask
Information to be completed
Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, Fusarium wilt and sweet pea viruses
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails
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