The Carlin pea is a traditional drying pea which seems to date way back in the English medieval monasteries and was certainly used in Elizabethan times.
Carlins are associated with the North and Especially North East of England where they often eaten on Passion Sunday. Legend has it, that they saved many Northumbrians from starvation during the Civil war of 1644.
Now classified as a heritage or Heirloom variety, Carlin or Maple Peas can still be obtained and grown from seed.
Planted and grown in much the same way as Sweet Peas, the plants can reach an average height of about six foot, bearing beautiful white and lilac flowers.
If given full sun and plenty of water, the crop quite prolifically. The seeds can be used fresh or allowed to ripen and dried for storage.
Many heritage varieties of seed are not available for public sale due to licencing leglisaltion but these seeds are available to members of the Heritage Seed Library.
or from seed exchange websites.