Lathyrus | |
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Grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Clade: | Inverted repeat-lacking clade |
Tribe: | Fabeae |
Genus: | Lathyrus L. (1753), nom. cons.[1] |
Species[2] | |
181; see text | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Lathyrus /ˈlæθɪrəs/[3] is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species. Commonly known as peavines or vetchlings,[1] they are native to temperate areas, with a breakdown of 52 species in Europe, 30 species in North America, 78 in Asia, 24 in tropical East Africa, and 24 in temperate South America.[4] There are annual and perennial species which may be climbing or bushy. This genus has numerous sections, including Orobus, which was once a separate genus.[5] The genus has numerous synonyms, including Pisum, the ancient Latin name for the pea.[6]