in taxon sweet pea plant PLANTS:LAOD Sweet pea (*Lathyrus odoratus*) is a flowering plant in the genus *Lathyrus* in the family *Fabaceae* (legumes), native to the eastern Mediterranean. Unlike the edible pea, there is evidence that seeds of members of the genus *Lathyrus* are toxic if ingested in quantity. A related species, *Lathyrus sativus*, is grown for human consumption but when it forms a major part of the diet it causes symptoms of toxicity called lathyrism. lathyrus odoratus pea, sweet sweet pea pod or seed vegetable, poisonous cultivars Lathyrus odoratus requires discussion