76 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
pointed leaflets, and terminating in a simple or branched tendril ; the stipules large and arrow- 
shaped. [ Plate 37. 
Common. Meadows, pastures, waysides. June — September. Perennial. 
Earth-nut Pea. (Lathyrus tuberosus, Linn.) — A somewhat similar species to the 
Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), but having clusters of 2-5 bright crimson flowers ; the 
long pods not flattened, nearly round and smooth (glabrous) ; the single pair of leaflets broad, 
inversely egg-shaped (obovate) ; the whole leaf terminating in a branched tendril ; the stipules half 
arrow-shaped ; and the root-stock creeping, and having oval tubers. 
Very rare. Only found in cornfields in Essex. June — August. Perennial. 
Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea. (Lathyrus sylvestris, Linn.)— Flowers large, 
■f-i inch long, with a rose-coloured standard and greenish-yellow wings tinged with purple, 3-10 in 
a cluster on a long stalk (peduncle) ; the pods long, oblong, compressed, with many seeds. [As 
described in the genus Lathyrus.] Stems 3-6 feet long, climbing, winged ; the leaves divided to 
the midrib into a single pair of oval leaflets ; the leaf-stalk (petiole) broadly-winged and terminating 
in a much-branched tendril ; the stipules narrow and half arrow-shaped. [Plate 37. 
Rare. Woods, thickets, rocky places. June — September. Perennial. 
*Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea. (Lathyrus latifolius, Linn.)— Not a native, an 
escape from gardens, where it is much cultivated. A very similar species to the Narrow-leaved 
Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus sylvestris), but with larger pink flowers and broader leaves. 
Rare; not native. Near gardens. June — July. Perennial. 
Blue Marsh Vetchling. (Lathyrus palustris, Linn.)— Flowers f-f inch long, bluish- 
purple, 2-8 in a cluster on a long stalk (peduncle) ; the pods oblong, flattened, and smooth 
(glabrous). [As described in the genus Lathyrus.] Stems 2-4 feet long, climbing, winged ; the 
leaves divided to the midrib into 2-4 pairs of narrow, lance-shaped leaflets, and ending in a short, 
usually branched tendril ; the stipules half arrow-shaped. 
Rare. Fens and boggy meadows. June — August. Perennial. 
Seaside Everlasting Pea. (Lathyrus maritimus, Bigel.) — Flowers large, f-f inch 
long, purple-crimson, fading to crimson, 4-10 in a compact cluster on a short stalk ; the pods 
narrowly oblong. [As described in the genus Lathyrus.] Stems 6 inches to 3 feet long, prostrate, 
sharply 4-angled ; the leaves divided to the midrib into 3-5 pairs of broadly oval leaflets, and 
ending in a short simple or branched tendril ; stipules broad and leaf-like, with arrow-shaped 
bases. 
Very rare. Shingly sea-beaches on the southern and eastern coasts. June — August. Perennial. 
Tuberous Bitter Vetch. (Lathyrus montanus, Bernh.) — Flowers J-f inch long, 
purple, variegated, fading to green or blue, 2-6 in a cluster on a long stalk (peduncle) ; the pods 
long, oblong, black when ripe. [As described in the genus Lathyrus.] Stems 8-18 inches high, 
erect, narrowly-winged, smooth (glabrous) ; the leaves divided to the midrib into 2, sometimes 3 or 
4, pairs of oblong leaflets, and ending in a fine point or even a small narrow leaflet ; the stipules 
half arrow-shaped ; and the root-stock forming small tubers. [Plate 37. 
Common. Woods, thickets, grassy places. May — July. Perennial. 
Black Bitter Vetch. (Lathyrus niger, Wimm.) — A similar species to the last, the 
flowers \ inch long, purplish-crimson fading to blue, 3-8 in a cluster on a long stalk (peduncle) ; the 
pods long, narrow, roundish, black when ripe; the stems 1-2 feet high, erect, wiry, angular; the 
leaves divided to the midrib into 4-6 pairs of broad leaflets, and ending in a short point ; the 
stipules small and narrow. 
Very rare. Rocky copses in Scotland in Perthshire and near Forfar. June — July. Perennial. 
