meadow vetchling
meadow pea
lathyrus pratensis latin

The Meadow vetchling is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world.

Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis)

The Meadow vetchling is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September.

Species recorded include Cowslip, Hoary Plantain, Common Dog-violet and Meadow Vetchling, which are meadow varieties.

There is Crested Dog's Tail, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Buttercup, Great Burnet and Meadow Vetchling.

'Lathyrus' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Grey Chi, Latticed Heath (both recorded on Meadow Vetchling) and 'Chionodes'.

The neutral grassland areas support Crested Dog's-tail, Common Knapweed, Red Fescue, Yellow Oat-grass, Meadow Vetchling, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Yarrow and Ribwort.

These include Cuckoo Flower, Marsh-marigold, Great Burnet, Meadowsweet, Common Knapweed, Meadow Vetchling, Marsh Ragwort, Meadow Buttercup, Sorrel, Ragged-robin, Reed Canary-grass, Sweet Vernal-grass and Meadow Brome.

The female lays her eggs on various members of the pea family in late May and June, most commonly Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, bitter vetch Lathyrus linifolius, Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca and Birds-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus.

Lathyrus pratensis or Meadow vetchling, also known as the Meadow Pea and Meadow pea-vine, is a perennial legume that grows to 1.2 m in height.

I Summer meadows attract bees and butterflies so add wild-flower seed - ox-eye daisy, ladies bedstraw, meadow pea and cranesbill - to a rough grass mix and sow.

The larvae feed on the leaves of Lotus corniculatus and Lathyrus pratensis.

Lathyrus pratensis (I)

Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis)

The female lays her eggs on various members of the pea family in late May and June, most commonly Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, bitter vetch Lathyrus linifolius, Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca and Birds-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus.