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Meadow Vetchling

©Northeast Wildlife

Marbled White butterflies on Meadow Vetchling

©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

Meadow vetchling

A scrambling plant, Meadow vetchling has yellow flowers. It is a member of the pea family and can be seen on rough grassland, waste ground and roadside verges.

Scientific name

Lathyrus pratensis

When to see

May to August

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 50cm
Common.

About

Meadow vetchling is a member of the pea and clover family (legumes) that can be found scrambling and climbing through grassy areas, including rough grassland, roadside verges and waste ground. Groups of four to twelve yellow flowers appear between May and August attracting bees and wasps.

How to identify

Meadow vetchling is a scrambling plant with long stems that end with a group of yellow, pea-like flowers. The flowers are followed by shiny, black seed pods that look like peapods. Its leaves comprise a single pair of leaflets that have tendrils.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

Meadow vetchling is also known as 'Meadow Pea' and 'Fingers-and-thumbs' and makes a good addition to a wildflower garden.