Description: Climbing or prostrate annual or perennial herb.
Leaves imparipinnate, terminal leaflet modified to a tendril or bristle; stipules leafy.
Inflorescences axillary, racemes or flowers solitary; bracts caducous; bracteoles absent. Calyx teeth deeply 5-toothed, ± equal. Standard clawed; wings joined to middle of keel; keel incurved. Stamens diadelphous; anthers uniform. Ovary sessile, ovules few; style inflexed, dilated at apex, margins recurved, hairy on the upper, inner surface; stigma capitate.
Pod inflated, compressed, dehiscent; seeds ± globose.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 6 species, Mediterranean & western Asia. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
The Sweet Pea, L. odorarus L., is commonly cultivated as an ornamental.
Text by C. Gardner
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Pisum sativum |
|
