How to identify Peavines (Lathyrus)

Photo By Liam O'Brien , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

How to identify Peavines (Lathyrus)

Peavines features as a group of climbing or sprawling vines indicative of its place in the pea family, characterized by its winged stems. This vining plant boasts a display of attractive and prominent flowers, which contributes to its ornamental appeal. Its foliage is typically outfitted with tendrils enabling it to latch onto trellises or other structures, enhancing vertical or sloped garden designs. Emphasis is placed on its preference for full sunlight and its adaptation to thrive in rich, well-draining soil.

Lifespan: Annual

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Peavines

Flower petals arranged in butterfly-like shape, in diverse colors like white, pink, and red.

Distinct flattened fruit pod housing round to oval seeds, transitioning from green to tan/brown.

Leaves pinnately divided with soft texture, forming web-like veins; tendrils aiding in climbing.

Winged stem with flattened extensions, slender and smooth, aiding in plant identification.

Vining growth habit with tendrils for vertical support and ornamental pea-like flowers in clusters.

Detailed Traits of Peavines

Leaf Features

The leaves of peavines are alternate, pinnately divided, featuring two or more leaflets of various shapes. Each leaflet is typically 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) long, with smooth or slightly wavy edges. The leaflets are green and have a soft, delicate texture. The veins form a reticulate pattern, creating a web-like appearance. A notable feature is the terminal tendril, which aids in climbing. These tendrils can be observed curling around nearby structures for support.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Peavines flowers feature pea-like blooms in a spectrum of colors such as white, pink, red, and blue, organized in elongated clusters. The buds present a yellowish-white hue and evolve into blossoms approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. Each flower consists of five petals arranged in a butterfly-like structure, contributing to its distinctive shape. These blooms often emit a mild, sweet fragrance and persist from early summer through late summer, enhancing gardens with their prolonged display.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of peavines is typically winged and can be distinctly characterized by its flattened extensions running along its length. It has a smooth texture, varying in color from light green to a deeper green shade. The stem is relatively slender, with a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 mm). Branching is often sparse, and the wings may appear more pronounced near the nodes. This winged feature aids in identifying the plant among other species.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of peavines is a distinct, flattened pod that typically grows with a smooth outer texture. Inside, it houses several round to oval seeds, commonly referred to as peas, which are nestled within the pod. Before consumption, both the young pods and mature peas require proper cooking. The pods can vary in color, often presenting in shades of green, and sometimes transitioning to a tan or brown hue as they mature. The size of the pods and seeds can vary, but they generally fit within the average pea-pod length of 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm). The tactile experience of the pod is firm when young, becoming more brittle as the peas reach full maturity.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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