SWEET PEA

(Lathyrus odoratus), annual plant, of the pea family (Fabaceae), native to Italy and widely cultivated in other regions for its beautiful, fragrant flowers. The vinelike stem, which climbs by means of tendrils, is 1.21.8 metres (46 feet) long. The alternate leaves are pinnately compound (feather-like in form). The flowers, commonly white, pink, red, violet, or purple and up to 5 centimetres (2 inches) across, are borne singly or in clusters of two to four. The fruit is a hairy pod about 5 cm long. Hundreds of varieties of sweet pea have been developed.