Lathyrus nissolia

9.9

A small European field plant with red flowers that looks like grass

noun

Specialized

: Lathyrus nissolia

The meadows were dotted with the bright red flowers of Lathyrus nissolia.

Examples

Botanists studied the habitat preferences of Lathyrus nissolia during the spring survey.
Lathyrus nissolia thrives in moist soils and is recognizable by its vibrant red flowers.
Lathyrus nissolia is often found growing alongside grasses in European fields.
The Lathyrus nissolia is often found in grassy areas.
Have you ever seen a Lathyrus nissolia in bloom?
During a hike in the countryside, I spotted the distinctive red blossoms of Lathyrus nissolia poking through the grass.
The colorful red flowers of Lathyrus nissolia can be seen in many of Europe's wildflower meadows.

Synonyms

grass vetchling

vsLathyrus nissolia

9.9

A small European plant that lives for one year with narrow leaves and pink or red flowers

is the formal botanical name commonly used for that plant

grass vetch

vsLathyrus nissolia

9.6

A small annual plant with red flowers like peas that grows in grassy fields

is the botanical name rather than a habitat-focused description

Surface Forms

Lathyrus nissolia singular

Lathyrus nissolias plural

Morphology

Lathyrus + nissolia

This is a scientific binomial name: while 'Lathyrus' names a genus (climbing herbs/peas), 'nissolia' is a non‑English species epithet with no independent lexical meaning for a B1 learner. Knowing the constituents might suggest it is a kind of Lathyrus, but the specific identity 'grass vetchling' or the full meaning cannot be derived from the parts, so it is idiomatic/label-like and not compositional.

Etymology

Lathyrus nissolia may come from the name Lathyrus meaning 'pea' and nissolia meaning 'grass-like', because the plant has pea-like flowers but very narrow leaves that look like grass. So the name helps us remember it is the red 'grass vetchling'.