This tall climbing perennial has been widely cultivated (as "everlasting pea") across North America, and it often persists or spreads. The related annual, L. odoratus L. ("sweet pea") is a more popular ornamental but it does not persist. Both originate from southern Europe. These species have toxic seeds, with unusual amino acid derivatives (Ressler et al. 1961). However, foliage is generally considered palatable by mammalian herbivores.