Vicia lutea L.

Tufted or scrambling, prostrate annual; stem ± glabrous. Lvs sparsely hairy; tendrils simple or branched; leaflets in (3)–4–7–(8) pairs, sometimes alternate, elliptic-oblong, 3–20 mm long; stipules entire or with 1–3, adaxial, basal lobes. Infl. much < lvs, 1–(2)-flowered. Peduncle much < fls. Pedicel 1–2 mm long. Calyx somewhat gibbous at base; calyx teeth unequal; lower teeth ± = tube; upper teeth much < tube. Corolla pale yellow, sometimes tinged purple, 15–30 mm long; limb of standard ± = claw. Pod moderately hairy, brown to black, 3–6-seeded, 25–40 mm long; seeds light brown with dark brown and black blotches; hilum ?-1/4 of circumference.

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

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.