Lathyrus venosus

Lathyrus venosus is a perennial vine with herbaceous stems, growing from a creeping rhizome.^[4] The stems are climbing or sprawling and measure about 0.9–1.2 metres (3–4 feet) in length.^[4] The leaves are alternate and even-pinnate with usually 8–12 leaflets, ending in a branched tendril.^[4][5][6] Each leaflet is roughly oval in shape, is untoothed, and lacks hair.^[4] The papilionaceous flowers grow from the leaf axils in clusters of 8–15. They are arranged in a raceme and are generally pink, purple, or blue.^[4] The fruit is a hairless seedpod.^[4]

Lathyrus venosus grows naturally in most of southeastern continental Canada and eastern continental United States.^[a][7] It generally grows in pine and prairie woodlands, along streams, on rocky slopes and roadsides, and in sandy ground.^[2][4]

The plant is globally secure, although in some parts of its range it may be at a lower status locally.^[1][4]

Common names include veiny pea,^[2][3] veiny vetchling,^[4][8] bushy vetchling^[9] forest pea,^[10] smooth veiny-pea,^[10] smooth veiny peavine,^[8] and gesse veinée (in French).^[8]