Pale Vetchling

Lathyrus ochroleucus, commonly known also as ‘cream pea’, is a native flower to Minnesota in the Fabaceae or Pea family. Like many other members of this family, pale vetchling is a vining plant and uses nearby foliage for support as it reaches out a tendril growing from the end of each leaf stalk to vine its way upwards.

Leaf stalks are compound, composed of 3 to 5 pairs of rather large (1 – 2 inch long), rounded leaflets, oppositely attached and smooth edged.

Look for the 1/2 inch long stipules at the leaf axils, somewhat oval with a sharply pointed tip. Leaf stipules vary in shape and size among members of the Pea family, and it can be fun to observe their differences when distinguishing between them. Pale vetchling’s stipules are easy to recognize because of their large size compared to others.

The creamy white flowers of pale vetchling bloom late May through July, often turning orange as they age. The fruit is a flat pea pod about 2 1/2 inches long and filled with several seeds.

A pretty addition to the spring into summer woodland landscape, pale vetchling grows nearby many other forest wildflowers. False Solomon’s seal flowers, for example, have now faded and are transitioning into their fruiting phase. Neighboring red columbines are holding strong in their rather long bloom phase, shining brilliantly scarlet against the wild geraniums and fully unfurled bracken ferns. Canada mayflowers  and other compatriots all add to the profusion of summertime’s lush green leaves and colorful petals. Pale vetchling makes use of these plants and any other nearby twig or branch as a welcome and necessary means to their own ends as they send their 1 to 3 foot vines to climb nearby foliage and head skyward.