3. V. Americàna, Muhl. Glabrous; leaflets 10–14, elliptical or ovate-oblong, very obtuse, many-veined; peduncles 4–8-flowered; flowers purplish (8´´ long).—Moist soil, N. Y. and N. J., to Kan., Minn., and westward.—Var. lineàris, Watson, a low form with linear leaflets, occurs in Kan. and Neb., and is common westward.
31. LÁTHYRUS, Tourn. Vetchling. Everlasting Pea.
Style flattish, dilated and flattish (not grooved) above, hairy along the inner side (next the free stamen). Sheath of the filaments scarcely oblique at the apex. Otherwise nearly as in Vicia.—Our species are perennial and mostly smooth plants, the rhachis of the leaves in some not produced into a tendril. (Λάθυρος, a leguminous plant of Theophrastus.)
[*] Tendrils present; stipules large and broad; leaflets 3–5 pairs.
1. L. marítimus, Bigelow. (Beach Pea.) Stout (1° high or more); stipules broadly ovate and halberd-shaped, nearly as large as the leaflets, the lower lobe larger and usually coarsely toothed; leaflets thick, ovate-oblong (1–2´ long); peduncles a little shorter than the leaves, 6–10-flowered, flowers large (9´´ long), purple.—Seashore from N. J. and Oregon to the Arctic Sea; also on the Great Lakes. (Eu.)
2. L. ochroleùcus, Hook. Stem slender (1–3° high); stipules semi-cordate, half as large as the thin ovate leaflets; peduncles 7–10-flowered; flowers smaller, yellowish-white.—Hillsides, N. Eng. to Minn., Iowa, and westward.
[*][*] Tendrils present; stipules narrow, semi-sagittate, acuminate.
[+] Flowers purple; leaflets several pairs.
3. L. venòsus, Muhl. Stout, climbing, usually somewhat downy; stipules very small and mostly slender; leaflets 4–6 pairs, oblong ovate, mostly obtuse (about 2´ long); peduncles many-flowered; flowers 6–8´´ long.—Shady banks, Penn. to Ga., west to Kan. and Minn.
4. L. palústris, L. Slender, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; stem often winged; stipules lanceolate, sharp-pointed at both ends; leaflets 2–4 pairs, narrowly oblong to linear, acute (1–2´ long); peduncles 2–6-flowered; flowers 6´´ long.—Moist places, N. Scotia to N. J., and westward across the continent. (Eu.)