Lathyrus palustris L.
Marsh vetchling, marsh pea
Marsh pea is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has an affinity for wet areas.
Plants: A vinelike plant 1–4′ (30–121 cm) long, with stems that are often “winged.” That is, viewed in cross-section, the central circle of the stem has two flat projections emerging from opposite sides. Each projection is 1/16–⅛″ (2–5 mm) wide. Some stems and even some entire plants lack these wings. Stems may also be angular or grooved. (Confused yet?) Branch tips have tendrils that latch onto other plants.
Leaves: Pinnate—composed of opposing pairs of leaflets. Leaflets often form the shape of a V, and may be asymmetrical. They are lance-shaped, about 1–2½″ (2.5–6.3 cm) long and up to ½″ (1.3 cm) wide, green on top, pale green below.
Flowers: Purple and white, about ¾″ (1.9 cm) in size. They appear in clusters of 2-8, from June to August.
Fruits: Seedpods are 1–2½ ⨉ ¼″ (2.5–6.3 cm ⨉ 6.3 mm) around, similar to those of related garden peas, but smaller.
Habitats: Rich soils in damp meadows, on river banks, on the margins of ponds, by lakes and near the ocean.
Online References:
References:
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm) 
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 9″ (16 × 22 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 5″ (15 × 13 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hampshire 
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 3 × 2½″ (7.7 × 6.7 cm) 
6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hampshire 
8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
7/2/2017 · Wildlife Pond, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 2½ × 3″ (6.5 × 7.4 cm) 
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 3 × 5″ (8.4 × 12 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 6″ (12 × 14 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 3 × 3″ (8 × 7.6 cm) 
6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hampshire 
8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 3 × 3″ (8.5 × 7.5 cm) 
6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hampshire 
7/17/2012 · Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 2½ × 2½″ (7.2 × 6.6 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (14 × 10 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
Winged stem. (Flowers in this image are not marsh vetchling.) · 7/17/2012 · Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
7/17/2012 · Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
7/5/2015 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 7″ (13 × 16 cm) 
8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
7/2/2017 · Wildlife Pond, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 2 × 2½″ (5.9 × 6.2 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Rosidae | Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more |
| Order | Fabales | Legumes (pea and bean families) |
| Family | Fabaceae | Legume family (peas and beans) |
| Genus | Lathyrus | From Greek lathyros, an old name for “pea” |
| Species | palustris | “Growing in marshes” |
Lathyrus palustris description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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