[AS., from L, pisum, a pea.] A garden and field plant of many varieties, with a papilionaceous or butterfly flower, and fruit in a legume or pod. It is supposed to belong to the south of Europe, and has been cultivated in the East from remote antiquity. It is now one of the most common of garden plants, and is largely grown by market-gardeners, who find it a most profitable crop. As an article of food peas are very valuable, containing a large percentage of casein, which is a flesh-forming principle.