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Synopsis: Linnaean (SWEET PEA or LATHYRUS)

SWEET PEA, or LATHYRUS, from Greek intensive prefix la, and thouros, raging, the seeds being supposed to promote excitement if eaten. N. O., Fabaceoe, or Leguminiferoe. LINNAEAN: 17, Diadelphia; 4, Decandria.-The "papilionaceous" or butterfly flowers represent an enormous natural order, comprising herbs, shrubs, and trees, from the wayside trefoil to the climbing wistaria and the stately acacia, and the useful peas and beans of the garden. The leaves are alternate, usually compound, but sometimes simple. The flowers are irregular, with calyx of five unequal teeth; the corolla is composed of five unequal petals, of which one is larger than the rest and envelops them. This is called the standard; the two lateral petals are the wings; the two under petals, which are usually united, form what is called the keel. There are many deviations from this typical structure, and in some few instances the corolla consists of five equal petals, stamens generally ten. The fruit is always a pod, generally dry, many-seeded, opening in two valves, or unopening, as in sophora. The seeds of many plants of this order are well known for their uses as food, but some of them are poisonous, and the order includes plants that produce powerful drugs.