China Peas

Grass pea. Lathyrus sativa. A legume related to peas that is widely cultivated in the Middle East. Very hardy and able to withstand extreme growing conditions but eaten in large quantities over an extended period can cause a condition known as lathyrism, which can cause paralysis. Vigorous, bushy vines produce an abundance of small pods. 2-4 seeds per pod. Long, narrow, grass-like leaves. White flowers. Non-pigmented, yellow seeds. Mid-season maturing. This variety was donated to SSE by Ethel Kaufmann of Orofino, Idaho. Ethel first began growing the peas sometime around 1992 when she received seeds from her brother, Clarence Waibel. Clarence got his start of the pea from his and Ethel’s parents, William and Mary Waibel, when he married in 1949. Ethel recalls that her parents were already raising these peas on their farm eight miles south of Hillsboro, Oregon in the 1930s. SSE Accession # 131777