Peas are an annual climbing herb that grow, depending on the variety, between 1 to 3 m tall on a cylindrical stem. The roots grow up to 1.2 m down into the soil. The leaves grow alternately along the stem, with each leaf having up to 4 pairs of leaflets (smaller leaf-like structures) and ending in a tendril.

The best characteristics for peas as a forage and cover crop are: o winter hardy, semi leafless or normal leaves, indeterminate growth habit with multiple branches; o purple flowers, longer stems, dark seeds with mottled seed coats, normal leaves (Austrian winter peas), and smaller seed size.

Peas are small, round vegetables. They are high in protein and full of vitamins. Peas are among the oldest plants grown in the world. They belong to the family of plants called legumes.