LEGUMINOS^-PEA FAMILY 



The Pea Family is distinguished by a peculiar blossom which is 

 characteristic of the greater number of the species. It is called 

 papilionaceous and consists of five petals; the upper or odd 

 petal, called the standard, being larger than the others and enclos- 

 ing them in the bud; this usually turns backward or spreads. 

 The two side petals are called wings and are exterior to the two 

 lower which grow together more or less closely and form the heel, 

 which usually encloses the stamens and pistil. Stamens ten, 

 very rarely five; inserted with the corolla; sometimes all grown, 

 together by their filaments, forming a tube; usually nine grow 

 together and one is separate. Ovary one-celled, often long and 

 slender, with a short style and simple stigma. The ovary de- 

 velops into a pod of which the pea and bean are good examples. 



SWEET PEA 



Ldthyrus odoratus var. hybrida. 



Lathyrus, ancient Greek name, of obscure meaning. 



A favorite annual, universally grown because of the beauty and 

 fragrance of the flowers. 



Slem. — Rough, hairy, winged, tendril-climbing. 



Leaves. — Equally pinnate, ending in a tendril or a point; leaflets 

 ovate or oblong; stipules lanceolate. 



Peduncles. — Two to four flowered, long. 



F/owers.— Papilionaceous, fragrant, blue, red, purple, pink, and 

 white. 



Calyx. — Five-parted 



Standard. — Large, roundish, notched; wings falcate-obovate or 

 oblong; keel shorter than the wings, incurved, obtuse. 



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