Lathyrus species

Does anyone out there have a particular interest in the above, apart from the 
ubiquitous L.odoratus? It has only just occurred to me that there should be, 
since many of the Old World species are congregated around the Mediterranean 
Sea. Here in the U.K. it is fairly easy to obtain about 40 - 50 of them (with 
varying degrees of difficulty), but at the last count there were something in 
the region of 160+ spp. The main problem here is getting seed of the annual 
species: the main nurseryman who traded in them, Richard Stockwell, has 
ceased business, and the Hardy Plant Society, which used to have a pretty 
good selection in their annual seed-list, decided about 2 years ago not to 
list any annual species of plants, a mistaken decision in my opinion. I am in 
touch with one of the National Collection holders, who supplies me with what 
he can spare, but that varies from year to year.

Two particular points. Species from both North and South America are very 
difficult to come by. This is especially annoying to me, since I was once 
given a plant of L.splendens, which grew after a fashion for a couple of 
years (in a pot), but eventually died without having ever flowered. And as I 
had actually seen it in flower, - it's a wonderful plant, - I was decidedly 
miffed. Secondly, does anyone know of a source for the true L.odoratus. Most 
plants which are sold as such, or under the name 'Original', are hybrids 
(close to the wild plant, it's true) since they usually produce 3 flowers per 
stem, whereas the true wild plant never produces more than 2 flowers per stem.

Any suggestions for sources, seeds or plants, gratefully received & 
acknowledged.

Einion Hughes, Rhyl, 
Denbighshire, Wales, U.K.
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