flat pea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• flat pea
• flat peavine
• flat vetchling
• narrow-leaved everlasting peavine
• narrow-leaved vetchling
• wood pea
• Everlasting Pea
• Narrow-Leaved Everlasting-Pea
• Narrow-Leaf Everlasting Pea
• Narrow-Leaved Everlasting Pea
• flat-pea
• narrow-leaf everlasting-pea
• Narrow Leaved Everlasting Pea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lathyrus sylvestris subsp. pyrenaicus
• Lathyrus sylvestris var. angustifolius
• Lathyrus sylvestris subsp. angustissimus
• Lathyrus noeanus
• Lathyrus sylvestris var. ensifolius
• Pisum sylvestre
• Lathyrus sylvestris var. oblongus
• Lathyrus sylvestris var. platyphyllos
• Lathyrus intermedius
• Lathyrus pyrenaicus
• Lathyrus sylvestris proles pyrenaicus
• Lathyrus sylvestris subsp. angustifolius
• Lathyrus sylvestris subsp. platyphyllos
• Lathyrus sylvestris var. intermedius
• Lathyrus platyphyllos

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Lathyrus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its distribution extends to the various territories of Great Britain. The species is also well-established throughout the coastal and inland areas of Norway. Finally, its presence is confirmed within the northern reaches of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lathyrus sylvestris is characterized by its preference for transitional environments, specifically thriving within forest edges and shrubberies. These ecotones provide the plant with a strategic balance of light availability and structural protection, allowing it to colonize the margins where dense woodland meets more open vegetation. By occupying these shrubby boundaries, the species benefits from the complex microclimates created by woody vegetation, which can offer shelter from extreme weather while providing the filtered sunlight necessary for its growth. This positioning within the landscape enables it to integrate into the diverse biological communities found at the periphery of forested areas.

Habitat :

forest edges, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Lathyrus sylvestris is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It adopts a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perennable buds are situated at or just below the soil surface to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. This species is deciduous, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lathyrus sylvestris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, specifically functioning as an obligatory climbing vine. It is a terrestrial plant that lives independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 1.25 m, though its vertical development can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum height of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.25 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lathyrus sylvestris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. As a non-carnivorous species, it obtains its nutritional requirements through soil absorption rather than through the capture of insects or other small organisms. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, hosting symbiotic relationships within its root systems to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which enhances its growth and survival in nutrient-poor environments.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lathyrus sylvestris is characterized by a biotic pollination process, specifically utilizing an insect-mediated syndrome with a strong preference for bees. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through August. This species relies on sexual reproduction, as both self-fertilization and asexual reproduction are noted to be absent. Once pollination is successful, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which reaches an average length of 5.5 cm. The seeds produced within these capsules exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0399 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.03263 g to a maximum of 0.0432 g. Dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes autochory to spread its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length mean:

5.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0432 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0399185715 g

Seed mass min:

0.03263 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lathyrus sylvestris has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4-Diaminobutyric acid, DABA, ammonia.

2,4-Diaminobutyric acid

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

DABA

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

ammonia

1. Veterinary and human toxicology

Activities

Lathyrus sylvestris has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.

Toxic

1. Veterinary and human toxicology