Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Meadow Vetchling
Lathyrus pratensis
- Family: Pea Family – Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- Height: 25–60 cm (10–25 in.)
- Flower: Corolla irregular (zygomorphic), 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in.) long. Yellow petals five: the upstanding the ‘standard’, the lateral two the ‘wings’, the lower two united to form the ‘keel’, overall shape of corolla being butterfly-like. Sepals five, united. A single carpel. Stamens ten. Inflorescence a raceme with 5–12 flowers.
- Leaves: Alternate. Even-pinnate with only one pair of leaflets, terminal leaflet modified into a tendril. Leaflets narrowly elliptic or lanceolate. Stipules large, with hastate base.
- Fruit: A black legume, 20–40 mm (0.8–1.6 in.) long.
- Habitat: Meadows, waysides, hay fields, grassy forests.
- Flowering time: June–August.
The meadow vetchling is a clambering, usually hairy legume which produces runner-like stems with the help of which it forms extensive patches. The raceme of this species bears 5–12 yellow flowers which at the first glance look similar to those of the common bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). The meadow vetchling does, however, have tendrils, and climbs on other plants unlike the common bird’s-foot trefoil. The meadow vetchling is a poisonous plant.
