Description

When this species is in full bloom in mid to late summer it can attain a height well in excess of 2m. With its racemes of three to ten large rose-pink flowers one might assume that Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea is a garden escape but it is in fact a British native. Its leaves are alternate with short winged stalks and stipules. Each leaf is divided into two narrow lanceolate leaflets and three tendrils which help support it as it scrambles up vegetation.

Habitat Information

Lathyrus sylvestris is a native perennial of hedgerows, wood-borders and scrub and prefers but is not restricted to calcareous soils. Due to its attractiveness, it is and was widely grown a garden plant where it escaped back into the wild. As a result, it is now difficult to know if a population is native or alien.

Lepidopterists have an interest in the species because, on the continent, it is the larval food plant of the Short-tailed Blue (Cupido argiades). Although one of Britain’s rarest migrant butterflies with less than twenty records it one that many think could become establish as climate changes.

Growing Information

Seed is best sown in the autumn but can be used at any time of the year.