Lathyrus venosus

Lathyrus venosus is a species of flowering plant native to North America. It is part of the botanical family Fabaceae and is commonly known as veiny pea.

Lathyrus venosus
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Spermatophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Lathyrus
Species:	L. venosus
Binomial name
Lathyrus venosus Muhl. ex Willd

Description

Lathyrus venosus is a perennial vine with herbaceous stems, growing from a creeping rhizome. The stems are climbing or sprawling and measure about 0.9–1.2 metres (3–4 feet) in length. The leaves are alternate and even-pinnate with usually 8–12 leaflets, ending in a branched tendril. Each leaflet is roughly oval in shape, is untoothed, and lacks hair. The papilionaceous flowers grow from the leaf axils in clusters of 8–15. They are arranged in a raceme and are generally pink, purple, or blue. The fruit is a hairless seedpod.

Distribution and habitat

Lathyrus venosus grows naturally in most of southeastern continental Canada and eastern continental United States. It generally grows in pine and prairie woodlands, along streams, on rocky slopes and roadsides, and in sandy ground.

Conservation status

The plant is globally secure, although in some parts of its range it may be at a lower status locally.

Names

Common names include veiny pea, veiny vetchling, bushy vetchling forest pea, smooth veiny-pea, smooth veiny peavine, and gesse veinée (in French).