181; see text Lathyrus /ˈlæθɪrəs/[3] is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, and contains approximately 160 species.

[2][7] Lathyrus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the grey chi (Antitype chi) and the latticed heath (Chiasmia clathrata), both recorded on meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), and Chionodes braunella.

Lathyrus growth abundance and size both decrease in response to increased temperatures in montane meadows.

Flowers on these cultivated species may be rose, red, maroon, pink, white, yellow, purple or blue, and some are bicolored.

Cultivated species are susceptible to fungal infections including downy and powdery mildew.