Leguminosae, Fabaceae Lathyrus hirsutus L.
Source: Magness et al. 1971
This plant, native to the Mediterranean region, is a winter annual adapted to
the southern third of the United States. The stems are weak and trailing except
in dense stands. The leaves have one pair of long, narrow leaflets and
terminate in a coiled tendril. The seed pods are rough and hairy. Seeds are
usually sown in the fall. Plantings are used for pasture, for hay, or for
turning under for soil improvement. Livestock may be injured from grazing
plants with mature seeds or feeding hay from such plants, but prior to seed
ripening good pasturage and hay are produced. Growing of rough pea has declined
greatly in recent years as Austrian winter peas and hairy vetch make more
growth. Acreage harvested for seed was 34,631 in 1949 and only 8,109 in 1959,
according to census figures.