256 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
LATHYRUS,—Sweer Pra. 
[A name employed by Theophrastus, to designite a leguminous plant.J 
Lathyrus latif6lius, or Everlasting Pea, is a most beau- 
tiful, large, diffuse perennial, producing a long succession 
of large light-purple or pink flowers, in clusters of eight 
or ten each. The plant is suitable for the shrubbery, ar- 
bors, or for training to a trellis. "When supported, it at- 
tains the height of six feet. “It attaches and supports it- 
self, like many scandent plants, by means of the branching 
tendrils terminating its single pair of broad leaflets.” 
A variety has white flowers. It may be propagated by 
dividing the roots, or more extensively by sowing the 
seeds. Young plants will flower the second year feebly, 
but the third and fourth year they produce a profusion of 
foliage and flowers. It has been suggested that it might 
be applied to agricultural purposes with profit, on account 
of its yielding so great a quantity of fodder and seed. 
L. grandifiérus.—Great-flowered Everlasting Pea,— 
The flowers are very large, rose-colored, and appear two 
or three together; the foliage and stems light and elegant ; 
not in common cultivation. The roots of the Zver-bloom- 
ing or Hverlasting Peas are very long and fleshy, and in a 
loamy soil send down a tap root, three or four feet into the 
ground, and will remain for many years without injury 
from the severest winter. 
L. odoratus.—Sweet Pea, is one of the most beautiful and 
fragrant of the genus, and is deservedly one of the most 
popular annuals that enrich the flower-garden. The va- 
rieties are white, rose, red, crimson, purple, black, and 
striped. One style of planting is, to place them in circles, 
two feet in diameter and four feet apart, each variety by 
itself’ When the young plants commence growing and 
require support, a neat stake should be firmly placed in 
the center of the circle, to which they should be trained, 
on strong strings to the top of the stake, which should be 
