Broad-leaved Peavine

Broad-leaved Peavine (Lathyrus latifolius)

Report

Troy Evans, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bugwood.org

Management Category

Synonyms

Everlasting peavine
Everlasting pea
Perennial peavine

ID Characteristics

General: Broad-leaved peavine is a trailing or climbing perennial.

Flowers: Are pea-like, in shades of white, pink, or red. Flowers form in clusters of 5 – 15 and are unscented.

Stem: Hairless with broad wings; stems can grow between 1 – 2 m long. Stems climb by using tendrils (if there is support) or form a dense mat of vegetation near the ground.

Leaves: Are blue-green and oval-shaped. Leaves grow in pairs with branched tendrils between leaves. Each leaf is smooth and about 7 cm long and 2.5 cm across.

Roots: Broad-leaved peavine has deeply-rooted rhizomes.

Fruits and Seeds: Seeds are found within pea-like pods, which are 7 – 9 cm long. Each seed pod contains 10-25 seeds. These pods are first green and then turn black or dark grey as they mature and dry. Seeds are small, hard, and round.

Similar Species

Invasive

flat-pea-bottom-half-scaled-e1725384522541

Flat pea (Lathyrus sylvestris): This invasive is from the same family as broad-leaved peavine; the two species are often confused for one another. Flat pea can grow as tall as broad-leaved peavine, but its pods and leaves are smaller.

You can learn more about the similarities and differences between broad-leaved peavine and flat pea in this comparison factsheet.

Habitat and Origin

Origin: Native to the Mediterranean (northern Africa and southern Europe), broad-leaved peavine was originally brought to North America as a garden ornamental for its showy flowers. It was also introduced as a means of erosion control.

Habitat: Typically found growing along roadsides or in disturbed areas where it can outcompete other species. Broad-leaved peavine requires partial or full sun to grow and prefers relatively dry soils.

How it Spreads

Broad-leaved peavine reproduces mainly by rhizomes, with its horizontal roots forming buds and growing new plants. It dies back during the winter and re-grows from deep roots in the spring.

Broad-leaved peavine can also reproduce by seed. When mature, seed pods dry and twist to launch seeds up to 9 m away.

This plant is also sometimes planted as a garden ornamental, or can be present in seed mixes, which aid in its spread.

Impacts

Health:

Fruits and leaves contain toxic compounds, and if eaten in large quantities these compounds can cause lathyrism, a serious disease. Humans, horses, and other animals with a single stomach are more susceptible.

Ecological:

Grows to form dense patches that outcompete all over low-growing native vegetation.
Vines climb up and choke trees and shrubs.

Prevent the Spread

Broad-leaved peavine is found in the Sea to Sky region, but with a limited distribution. The goal is to eradicate this species from the region, and to prevent new introductions.

Learn to identify broad-leaved peavine: use the images presented on this profile page to learn how to identify this plant.

What to do if you spot broad-leaved peavine: You can report any sighting by visiting our reporting page.

DO:

Regularly monitor properties for infestations.
Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport
Remove plant material from any equipment, vehicles, or clothing used in infested areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving these areas.
Minimize soil disturbances (e.g. use grazing plans that prevent soil exposure from overgrazing), and use seed mixes with dense, early colonization (e.g. alfalfa or barley) to re-vegetate exposed soil and resist invasion.
Ensure plants (particularly seed pods or root fragments) are bagged or covered to prevent spread during transport to designated disposal sites (e.g. landfill).

DO NOT:

Don’t unload, park, or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas
Do not plant broad-leaved peavine, no matter how well-contained the area might seem.
DO NOT COMPOST!

Control

Mechanical

Hand-pulling or cutting stems is a temporary control method since plants re-grow from any remaining roots.
This regrowth can be hindered by covering the site and surrounding ground with woven plastic fabrics or other materials. This covering must be kept on for a minimum of 2 years, and the location monitored. Note: this method may also stop the growth of other nearby plants, which may not be ideal.

Chemical

Translocated and selective herbicides (for broad-leaved plants), such as triclopyr and dicamba, can be effective on broad-leaved peavine.
Picloram is also effective, but it is not suitable for wet, coastal soil.
Treat areas should not be disturbed until the herbicide has had the chance to work (2 – 3 weeks).
New vegetation must be established following effective chemical treatment.
We recommend that any herbicide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying herbicides, you must review and follow herbicide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial, and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.

Cultural

Goats have been known to graze on broad-leaved peavine.

Biological

There is currently no biocontrol agent for this plant.