Lathyrus sylvestris – Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea

With its racemes of three to ten large rose-pink flowers its difficult to believe that narrow-leaved everlasting-pea is a British native plant. Its leaves are alternate with short winged stalks and stipules. Each leaf is divided into two narrow lanceolate leaflets and three tendrils which help support it as it scrambles up vegetation. The plant can reach to 200cm and flowers mid to late summer.

Habitat Information

Narrow-leaved everlasting-pea is a native perennial of hedgerows, wood-borders and scrub and prefers but is not restricted to calcareous soils. Although native it was and is widely grown in gardens from where it escaped. As a result, it is now difficult to know if a population is native or alien.

Growing Information

Seed is best sown in the autumn but can be used at any time of the year.