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Description
Lathyrus Niger, also known as the black pea, is a flowering plant species that belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe, where it can be found in damp meadows, woods, and along riverbanks. The plant features dark blue or black flowers with a white base and a yellow spot on the standard petal. It blooms from May to August and produces up to six flowers per stem.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Lathyrus |
Appearance
The black pea plant can grow up to 1.2 meters in height and has a sprawling habit with long, slender stems. The leaves are pinnate and have two to four pairs of leaflets. The flowers are dark blue or black with a white base and a yellow spot on the standard petal. They are arranged in clusters of up to six flowers per stem. The plant produces elongated seed pods that contain up to six seeds per pod.
Care Guide
To care for the black pea plant, it is important to provide it with adequate water, fertilization, soil, sunlight, and to plant it in the appropriate hardiness zone. The plant prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun or partial shade. It can tolerate a range of soil types but prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.Watering should be done regularly, particularly during dry spells or when the plant is flowering. Fertilization can be done with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer months. The plant can be propagated from seed, which should be sown in the autumn or early spring.The black pea plant is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
The black pea plant is relatively disease-resistant but can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. It may also attract aphids, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
The black pea plant is native to Europe, where it can be found in damp meadows, woods, and along riverbanks. It has been introduced to North America and is often grown as an ornamental plant.
Question and Answer
Q: Can the black pea plant be grown in containers?
A: Yes, the black pea plant can be grown in containers as long as they are large enough to accommodate the plant’s sprawling habit and provide adequate drainage.
Q: Is the black pea plant toxic?
A: Yes, the black pea plant contains a toxic compound called beta-aminopropionitrile, which can cause a neurological disorder called lathyrism in humans and livestock if consumed in large quantities.
Q: How often should the black pea plant be fertilized?
A: The black pea plant should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer months.
Q: Can the black pea plant tolerate drought?
A: The black pea plant prefers moist soil and may not tolerate prolonged periods of drought.
Related Plants
- Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet pea)
- Lathyrus vernus (Spring vetchling)
- Lathyrus latifolius (Everlasting pea)
References
- “Lathyrus niger.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281240&isprofile=0&basic=lathyrus%20niger.
- “Lathyrus niger.” Royal Horticultural Society. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/23472/lathyrus-niger/details.
- “Lathyrus niger.” Plants of the World Online. Accessed August 10, 2021. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:501790-1.
