Lathyrus /ˈlæθɨrəs/^[1] is a genus of flowering plant species known as sweet peas and vetchlings. Lathyrus is in thelegume family, Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. They are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in tropical East Africa, and 24 in temperate South America.^[2] There are annual and perennial species which may be climbing or bushy. This genus has numerous sections, including Orobus, which was once a separate genus.^[3]

(From Wikipedia, July 2015)