A type of legume (Fabaceae) noted for a spherical seed contained in a pod.
"Pea" refers to a number of annual legume (Fabaceae) plants. Without further description, the term usually refers to field peas (species Pisum sativum) which are grown as a vegetable. Field peas have spherical green seeds in a pod. The pod is typically shelled and the seeds ("peas") eaten. Some varieties are eaten as an entire pod (eg. French "mange tout").
Wild peas are native the Mediterranean and Far East. Earliest known cultivation dates back to the Neolithic Syria, Turkey, and Jordan.
Peas are a very popular vegetable in Western cuisine. They can be readily frozen for storage and transport with minimal damage.
Use this tag for all questions about growing peas as vegetables. Use the tag sweet-pea for questions specific to the non-edible flowering sweet pea.
