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| ## Perennial Pea {#perennial-pea .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Lathyrus latifolius* L.                                              |
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| Plant Symbol = LALA4                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Perennial Pea (Lathyrus
latifolius)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0in"}**Uses**

Perennial pea is a long-lived erosion control plant that provides a low
maintenance and attractive cover in highly erodible areas. It requires
little input once established. Perennial pea is also useful as a
wildlife cover plant. When planted with grasses and other legumes, it
will inhibit the ability of other plants to invade the stand after it
achieves full cover, and can be used to control woody plant encroachment
of utility rights-of-way. Perennial pea can be overseeded on rip-rap to
hide the bare rock.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Perennial pea is a rhizomatous, deep-rooted legume that climbs through
the use of tendrils and can attain heights of 5-7 feet if support is
available. When no support is nearby, the plant forms a viney mat 18-30
inches thick. In either case, a well established stand forms a dense mat
of vegetation. The stems and petioles are winged with leaf-like
appendages. The leaf consists of two long, narrow leaflets with parallel
veins and bears the tendril from juncture of the leaflets. The flowers
range from deep purple, to white or pink and bloom from mid-June to
mid-August. The seeds produced are in 2.5-3.5 inch long seed pods that
contain the hard round seed. Both the seed and the pod are black or dark
gray at maturity. Perennial pea closely resembles sweetpea and flatpea.
Perennial pea has about 8,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Perennial pea is adapted throughout the Northeast US and states around
the Great Lakes on soils that are moderately well to well-drained. It
grows best in full sunlight and is not well adapted to acid, droughty
sites. Low fertility and acid soils can more successfully be stabilized
with flatpea.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Perennial pea will not establish successfully unless the seed is
incorporated into the soil. Broadcast and hydroseeding will not work
unless subsequent erosion covers the seed, or a heavy mulch is applied.
The best way to incorporate perennial pea seed on disturbed sites is to
track it in with a bulldozer. Inoculated flatpea seed must be spring
planted, or dormant planted in mid-fall. A drill can also used to plant
the seed 1-1 1/2 inches deep. Perennial pea is always planted with a
grass companion (typically tall fescue) to provide quick cover during
the 2-3 year establishment period. With good agronomics on a good site,
flatpea will cover the soil in 2 years. With poor methodology it may
never be successful.

Lime is needed if the soil is below a pH of 5.0, and moderate levels of
phosphorus and potash are beneficial. Coat the seed with the specific
inoculant immediately prior to planting. Plant perennial pea at 20
pounds per acre(for a solid stand) with 15 pounds per acre of tall
fescue or perennial ryegrass. To add some color to a grass planting, use
5 pounds per acre. More seed will not make up for lack of incorporation
as outlined above.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

None is required. Mow the stand no more than once per year, after full
bloom, and no sooner than the third year after planting.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Lancer' (MI), the only cultivar commercially available, was jointly
released by the Rose Lake, Michigan and Big Flats, New York Plant
Materials Centers operated by USDA-NRCS. 'Lancer' is available in the
seed trade.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
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