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Pisum sativum

Species category

Agricultural, Vegetable

Common name

garden pea

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Spherical-globose to round

Size

  • Length 6–8 mm
  • Width 6–8 mm
  • Thickness 6–8 mm

Color

White to green for garden types, various mottled and flecked for field types

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 hilum

Identification notes

Garden peas are usually white to green in color. Field peas can be green with purple spots or yellow with brown flecking. Seed coatSeed coat:
The protective covering of a seed usually composed of the inner and outer integuments. Also called the testa.
 smooth to wrinkled.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Pisum sativum L.

Synonyms

Pisum arvense L.
Pisum humile Boiss. & Noe
Pisum sativum L. ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.
Pisum sativum L. var. arvense (L.) Poir.
Pisum sativum L. var. humile Poir.
Pisum sativum L. var. macrocarpon Ser.

Pisum sativum. Seeds of garden peas are usually white to green in color, whereas field peas can be green with purple spots, or yellow with brown flecking. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Pisum sativum. Seeds of garden peas are usually white to green in color, whereas field peas can be green with purple spots, or yellow with brown flecking. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.