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Smith, R.W.

Lathyrus palustris

Lathyrus palustris L.

Marsh Pea, Marsh Vetchling

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s): Lathyrus myrtifolius, Lathyrus palustris ssp. pilosus, Lathyrus palustris var. linearifolius, Lathyrus palustris var. macranthus, Lathyrus palustris var. meridionalis, Lathyrus palustris var. myrtifolius, Lathyrus palustris var. pilosus, Lathyrus palustris var. retusus, Orobus myrtifolius

USDA Symbol: LAPA4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

Lathyrus palustris has purple flowers and lanceolate stipules and is found in wet meadows and marshes in much of North America, as well as Eurasia.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Stems climbing, up to about 3 feet long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Purple

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Peas and very young pods. Collect young pods in early summer and peas slightly later. Do not wash with detergent or sanitizer, only water. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Seeds. Toxic if ingested in large quantities. Symptoms include Lathyrism"": paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions. Toxic Principle: Amine, phenol, and glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL	OBL	OBL		FACW	FACW		FACW	FACW	OBL

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lathyrus palustris in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lathyrus palustris in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lathyrus palustris

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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