Herbs perennial, from rhizome, pubescent. Stems not winged, sprawling or climbing, branched along trailing stems several times, 4–10 dm. Leaves 1–4 cm; tendrils bristlelike to well devel­oped; stipules ovate-lanceolate, 5–38 × 3–15 mm, sometimes equal to leaflets; leaflets 2, blades lanceolate, 5–40 × 1–10 mm, surfaces glabrous or pubescent. Inflorescences 5–10-flowered, 4–16 cm. Flowers 8–12 mm; calyx lobes unequal, lateral lobes linear-triangular, longer than tube; corolla yellow, banner erect, blade equal to claw, wings equal to keel; ovary glabrous or pubescent. Legumes 15–35 × 5–7 mm. 2n = 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, 42.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jul.
Habitat: Roadsides, fencerows, meadows.
Elevation: 50–150 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Greenland, B.C., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Alaska, Conn., Ill., Maine, Mass., Mich., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Vt., Wash., Wis., Europe, introduced also in Asia (China, India, Japan), Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Lathyrus pratensis is common throughout Europe where it is a variable and taxonomically difficult group (P. W. Ball 1968b; K. Brunsberg 1977).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.