Lathyrus nissolia, the grass vetchlingorgrass pea,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. 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 familyFabaceae.
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, leafletsortendrils. 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]
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]
Media related to Lathyrus nissolia at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Lathyrus nissolia at Wikispecies
