Lathyrus odoratus
It is a legume that belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Lathyrus. It is an annual herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 3 to 6 ft. It has pinnate leaves with 2 leaflets. It is a climbing plant that has unique tendrils to twine around the supporting structures.
Its common name is sweet pea, and it is known for its intense fragrance. It produces showy flowers in pink and purple shades. Its seeds are not edible like the common garden pea.
Pisum sativum
It is a legume that belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Pisum. Its common name is garden pea, and it serves as a major food crop. The seed pod of Pisum contains several green or yellow peas that are edible. It is also an annual plant that has tendrils to twine.
Most peas are rabi crops that are sown from October to mid-November.
Difference between Lathyrus odoratus and Pisum sativum
Lathyrus odoratus |
Pisum sativum |
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It belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Lathyrus. |
It belongs to the family Fabaceae and genus Pisum. |
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Its common name is sweet pea. |
It is called garden pea. |
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It has fragrant and showy flowers and is grown as an ornamental plant. |
They do not have showy flowers. |
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Its seeds are not edible. |
It has edible seeds and serves as a major food crop. |
Explore: Difference between Lentils, Pulses and Legumes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are legumes?
Legumes are plants in the Fabaceae family. These plants fix atmospheric nitrogen with the help of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. Examples – Soybeans, Beans, Chickpeas, Peas, Peanuts, etc.,
What are peas?
The term pea is used to describe the seeds of most Fabaceae plants. Examples – Cowpea, Sweet pea, Garden pea, Pigeon pea, etc.
What is lathyrism?
The ingestion of the legumes of Lathyrus plants can create a toxic condition called lathyrism. The seeds of sweet peas have a toxin called beta-aminopropionitrile that can affect the protein and cross-linking in collagen of connective tissues. Thus, they are not edible.
Further Reading: Solanaceae, Fabaceae and Liliaceae – Family Description
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