Description: Bitter vetch is a native perennial species growing up to about 15 ins (40 cm) or more, found in heaths, woods, thickets, scrub etc. across Northern Ireland, from sea level to quite high altitudes in the mountains. The leaves have 2 to 4 pairs of long-oval leaflets (sometimes very narrow or linear) and no tendrils; the flowers are in pairs on long stalks and are a dingy blue-purple, and are followed by long blackish pods containing up to about 10 seeds; the stem is winged.

All names: Lathyrus linifolius (Reichard) Baessler; Lathyrus montanus Bernh.; Lathyrus macrorrhizus Wimm.

Distribution Map from NBN: Lathyrus linifolius at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Lathyrus linifolius at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.