Flower ID: IMG_0573.JPG-05-31-2017 Flower name (scientific): Lathyrus ochroleucus Hooker PY: 1834. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) lah-THY-russ (or LATH-e-rus or LATH-uh-rus) o-kro-LI-kus (or ock-roh-LEW-kus) Flower name (common): Cream Pea Family name (common): Pea Family name (scientific): Fabaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek word lathyros, for legume (pea, bean). Specific epithet: From the Greek word ochros, for pale-yellow, and leukos, meaning white, hence yellowish-white. Common name origin: From the flower color and from the approximate similarity of the fruit to the seed pod of the common vegetable pea Pisum sativum var. sativum. Also, the flowers have a shape characteristic of the flowers of the other pea plants. Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.6 inches (10 to 15 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) tall. Stem hairy: glabrous Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound. Each leaflet has a short petiole and the margins are entire. Size: Leaflets are up to 5 cm long and 3 cm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: glabrous Other: Shape: leaf, even-pinnate, leaflet, oval-ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodlands, forests, cliffs, shade or part shade, shade, dry. Fruit: Seed pods are flattened and about 5 to 7 cm in length. Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Lathyrus ochroleucus can be distinguished from other Lathyrus species by both the flower color, and the relatively large (13 to 25 mm) leafy stipules. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe utilized this plant to treat stomach problems. They also use the root as a food source and treat it like a potato (Smith, pp. 372-373, 406, 1932). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SD, VT, WA, WI, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 2 homotypic synonyms for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 2 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed