Meadow Vetchling

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Lathyrus pratensis

Common & widespread throughout Britain.

The leaves are alternate with short stalks and large stipules.

The leaf blades are pinnate with a single pair of broad lanceolate leaflets with blunt tips, entire margins and a terminal unbranched tendril.

The inflorescence has a long stem and a cluster of five to twelve yellow flowers, each 10 to 16 mm (0.4 to 0.6 in) long.

These have five sepals and five petals and are irregular.

The uppermost petal is known as the "standard", the lateral two as the "wings" and the lowest two are joined to form the "keel".

There are ten stamens and a single carpel.

The fruit is a long black pod.

This plant flowers from June to August.