Photographs: Ballingeary, Co. Cork

Bitter Vetch Lathyrus linifolius Corra meille Family: Fabaceae Flowering time: April-July. Perennial. Native. Short racemes of 2-6 pinky-crimson flowers that fade to blue-green. The leaves have 2-4 pairs of narrow-oblong, blunt or pointed leaflets but tendrils are absent. Erect growth habit with winged and usually unbranched stems growing from tuberous rhizomes. Height 15-40 cm Frequent except in central Ireland on infertile neutral and acidic soils on heathy or rocky grassland, woods, roadsides and river-banks.

Bitter Vetch, Lathyrus linifolius, Corra meille