FloraFinder.org
Home   About Us   Want to Help?   FAQ  
Searching   Image Use Biblio

Lathyrus palustris L.

Marsh vetchling, marsh pea

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderFabalesLegumes (pea and bean families)
FamilyFabaceaeLegume family (peas and beans)
GenusLathyrusFrom Greek lathyros, an old name for “pea”
Speciespalustris“Growing in marshes”

About plant names...

Marsh pea is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has an affinity for wet freshwater areas.

Identification: A vinelike plant 12-48" (30-121 cm) long, with stems that are often “winged.” That is, viewed in cross-section, the central circle of the stem has two flat projections emerging from opposite sides. Each projection is ¹/₁₆-⅛" (2-5 mm) wide. Some stems and even some entire plants lack these wings. Stems may also be angular or grooved. (Confused yet?) Branch tips have tendrils that latch onto other plants. Leaves are pinnate—composed of opposing pairs of leaflets. Leaflets often form the shape of a V, and may be asymmetrical. They are lance-shaped, about 1-2½" (2.5-6.3 cm) long and up to ½" (1.3 cm) wide, green on top, pale green below. Flowers are purple and white, about ¾" (1.9 cm) in size. They appear in clusters of 2-8, from June to August. Seedpods are 1-2½" (2.5-6.3 cm) long × ¼" (6.3 mm) around, similar to those of related garden peas, but smaller.

Online References:

Lathyrus palustris at Illinois Wildflowers

Lathyrus palustris at Minnesota Wildflowers

Lathyrus palustris on

Lathyrus palustris on Ontario Wildflowers

Lathyrus palustris on eFloras

Lathyrus palustris from the Jepson Manual

References:

Newcomb, Lawrence, Morrison, Gordon (Illus.), Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, Little, Brown and Company, 1977, p. 114

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 7 × 9" (16 × 23 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 7 × 9" (16 × 22 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 6 × 5" (15 × 13 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 3 × 2½" (7.7 × 6.7 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/2/2017 · Wildlife Pond, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 2½ × 3" (6.5 × 7.4 cm)

Lathyrus myrtifolius Muhl. ex Willd.

Lathyrus palustris L. var. linearifolius Ser.

Lathyrus palustris L. var. myrtifolius (Muhl. ex Willd.) A. Gray

Lathyrus palustris L. var. macranthus (T.G. White) Fernald

Lathyrus palustris L. var. meridionalis Butters & H. St. John

Lathyrus palustris L. var. pilosus (Cham.) Ledeb.

Lathyrus palustris L. ssp. pilosus (Cham.) Hultén

Lathyrus palustris L. var. retusus Fernald & H. St. John

Orobus myrtifolius Alef.

 

Lathyrus palustris description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 3 × 5" (8.4 × 12 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 6" (12 × 14 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 3 × 3" (8 × 7.6 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 3 × 3" (8.5 × 7.5 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/17/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Wildlife Pond Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 2½ × 2½" (7.2 × 6.6 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 6 × 4" (14 × 10 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 4½ × 4" (11 × 10 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

Winged stem. (Flowers in this image are not marsh vetchling.) · 7/17/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Wildlife Pond Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/17/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Wildlife Pond Trail, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 7" (13 × 16 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

Lathyrus palustris (marsh vetchling, marsh pea)

7/2/2017 · Wildlife Pond, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 2 × 2½" (5.9 × 6.2 cm)

Range:

About this map...