Seasonal Wild Flowers

Grass Vetchling

Lathyrus nissolia

Fabaceae

May to July

It is found mainly in the South and Southeast of the

country and is scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Grass Vetchling

It grows in calcareous grassland, unfertilised flower

meadows, beside roads, paths and railways, and on

coastal shingle and grassland.

Grass Vetchling is a native, very attractive, delicate

-looking, nitrogen-fixing, annual herb, growing up to

90cm.

The leguminous, crimson-pink flowers are in pairs on

long stalks.

The stems and leaves are grass-like.

At first sight, Grass Vetchling does not look like a proper

plant, neither grass nor legume.

It seems to be on the increase, both in occurrance and

range.

This is probably due to its inclusion in wild flower seed

products.

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Next page: Goat's-beard

Grass-like leaves and dark pink flowers

Close-up of flower

Front and side views

Flower stem and leaves