Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:

In message , Peter Robinson
writes

So my questions: can you eat perpetual sweet peas? As mangetout, sugar
snaps or shelled peas? Do I want to?

"Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the
seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can
cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if
they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to
be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised."

Boo - you're no fun :-)

Reading around the web I can't find anything authoritative looking that
says lathryrism can be caused by lathyrus
latifolius as such. E.g.

"Lathyrism is a disorder caused by long-term and excessive consumption
of the grass pea Lathyrus sativus (Leguminosae). Sometimes other
Lathyrus species are involved: L. odoratus, L. cicera, L. ochrus, L.
clymenum."
http://www.itg.be/itg/DistanceLearni...EndenE/47_Medi
cal_problems_caused_by_plantsp11.htm

Better still
"Diets, which contain over 30% of this dal over a period of 2-6 months,
will result in neurolathyrism."
....
"The toxin in lathyrus seed has been identified. It penetrates the
blood-brain barrier. It can easily be removed from the dal by simply
soaking the seeds in hot water and rejecting the water in which it is
soaked."
http://www.health-disease.org/neurology-disorders/lathyrism.htm

But even so, I don't think I'll be trying it.

Shame!

Peter