Lathyrus nissolia

Lathyrus nissolia, the grass vetchling or grass pea,[1] is a plant species of the genus Lathyrus. It is native to most of Europe, Maghreb, Levant and the Caucasus. Despite its common names, it is not a grass, but belongs to the legume family Fabaceae.

Lathyrus nissolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Lathyrus
Species:
L. nissolia
Binomial name
Lathyrus nissolia
(L.) Döll

Description

Grass vetchling is an annual plant, with an erect stem branching from the base, and growing to a height of about 2 feet (0.7 m). It is entirely without true leaves, leaflets or tendrils. The leaf stalk, however, is flattened out until it closely resembles a blade of grass ending in a fine point, and the stipules at its base greatly help the deception.[1]

The crimson flowers come out in June and July, and are rather small, solitary and borne on a very long footstalk. They have the ability to self-pollinate.[1]

The flowers are succeeded by long, slender, straight pods, which are at first very flat, but become cylindrical when the contained peas are fully developed.[1]

Habitat

Grassland, banks and field margins on neutral to acid soil.[2]

Distribution

The species is rare in Scotland and very localised in England and Wales, though there are signs that it is currently spreading in the United Kingdom.[2] Not recorded from Ireland.[3]

References
  1. Stokoe, W.J. The Observer's Book of Wild Flowers (1965 ed.). Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. p. 88.
  2. Nature Spot - Grass Vetchling
  3. Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012 Webb's An Irish Flora Cork University Press ISBN 978-185918-4783


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