Vicia lathyroides L.

Prostrate annual, often tufted; stems moderately to densely hairy. Lvs moderately hairy; tendrils simple or 0; leaflets in 1–3 pairs, ± opposite, elliptic-oblong to obovate, (3)–5–10–(15) mm long; stipules with 1, adaxial, basal lobe or dentate. Infl. much < lvs, 1-flowered. Peduncle much < fls. Pedicel 0.5–2 mm long. Calyx slightly gibbous at base; calyx teeth ± equal, ± = or < tube. Corolla purple, 5–8 mm long; limb of standard ± = claw. Pod glabrous, dark greyish brown, c. 7–10-seeded (rarely fewer), 15–25 mm long; seeds cubic, tuberculate, reddish brown; hilum c. 1/12 of circumference.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Feb.