California Invasive Plant Council

Lathyrus latifolius

Synonyms: Lathyrus megalanthus, Lathyrus membranaceus

Common names: perennial sweet pea, sweet pea, everlasting pea

Perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius; Fabaceae) is an herbaceous perennial vine in the pea family that has a long history in horticulture as an ornamental. It is native to Europe, but has naturalized throughout the United States, in Australia, and beyond its historic native range, across northern Africa and southern Europe. In California, this species can create monocultures in natural areas, though it is primarily associated with ruderal (roadsides and disturbed) sites. Perennial sweet pea reproduces by seed but persists and spreads locally mostly by rhizomes (underground), making it difficult to control once established. Its leaves are alternate and pinnately divided and have winged petioles. Tendrils on leaves are branched and its stems are winged. Individual plants typically grow to 3-6′. Perennial sweet pea is toxic to livestock.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Explanation of CDFA ratings

• A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment.
• B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution.
• C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is usually widespread.
• D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness, or is known to be a parasite or predator.
• Q – An organism or disorder suspected to be of economic or environmental detriment, but whose status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information.
• * – An asterisk next to the rating indicates that a plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds.
• -* – This plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds, but is otherwise not rated.

More details

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Lathyrus latifolius Information

• Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
• EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
• GBIF - Global distribution information.
• Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
• USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
• The Plant List - Global taxonomic resource and collaborative clearinghouse from Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Missouri Botanic Garden and others.

Additional photos