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marsh pea

marsh pea

8.4
A plant that grows again every year in damp marshes with purple flowers
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : guisante de pantano
  • The marsh pea produces beautiful purplish flowers during the spring and summer.

Examples

  • We spotted a marsh pea growing near the edge of the wetland trail.

  • Botanists conducted a survey of marsh pea populations in the flooded meadow.

  • The marsh pea blooms beautifully in spring.

  • I found a marsh pea plant near the riverbank.

  • The marsh pea produces beautiful purplish flowers during the spring and summer.

  • We spotted a marsh pea growing near the edge of the wetland trail.

  • Botanists conducted a survey of marsh pea populations in the flooded meadow.

Synonyms

Lathyrus palustris
vsmarsh pea
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing plant that lives for several years in wet places like marshes with purple flowers

is the common English name used for everyday reference rather than Latin

Surface Forms

marsh pea singular
marsh peas plural

Morphology

marsh + pea

The meaning is directly and transparently compositional: 'marsh' (wetland) modifies 'pea' (a type of plant), so the phrase denotes a pea plant that grows in marshy areas. This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following common descriptive patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Marsh pea comes from the plant's name: it joins marsh meaning wet ground and pea because the plant looks like a small pea. So the name means a 'pea' plant that grows in wet, marshy places.