Grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia)
Present distribution
|  Map showing the present distribution of this weed. | ||||
| Habitat: Occurs between 100-1300 m (Fl Italiana 2010). Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). | |||||
Potential distribution
Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries
| Map Overlays Used Land Use: Broadacre cropping; forestry; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation Ecological Vegetation Divisions Lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; granitic hillslopes; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; chenopod shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummock-grass mallee; lowan mallee Colours indicate possibility of Lathyrus nissolia infesting these areas. In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable. | 
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Impact
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Social |  | | |
| 1. Restrict human access? | Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm (Flora NW Europe 2010). L. nissolia is an annual plant 20–90 cm (Biologie Végétale 2010). Minimal or negligible impact. | L | MH |
| 2. Reduce tourism? | Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm; crimson flowers 1–2 per plant (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). In Derbyshire this easily-missed plant is on the northern limit of its distribution in England (Fl Derbyshire 2010). Weeds not obvious to the average visitor. | L | MH |
| 3. Injurious to people? | L. nissolia (grass vetchling) contains the toxin 3-aminopropionitrile; causes neurological disease, including excitability, convulsions and death without skeletal lesions (Medical Dictionary 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Large spines or burrs, extremely toxic, and/or cause serious allergies to humans throughout year. | H | ML |
| 4. Damage to cultural sites? | Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm; flowers 1–2 per plant (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). Little or negligible effect on aesthetics or structure of site. | L | M |
| Abiotic | | | |
| 5. Impact flow? | Occurs between 100-1300 m (Fl Italiana 2010). Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). No described as aquatic. Little or negligible affect on water flow. | L | M |
| 6. Impact water quality? | Occurs between 100-1300 m (Fl Italiana 2010). Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). No described as aquatic. No noticeable effect on dissolved 02 or light levels. | L | M |
| 7. Increase soil erosion? | No information found. | M | L |
| 8. Reduce biomass? | Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm; crimson flowers 1–2 per plant (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). In Derbyshire this easily-missed plant is on the northern limit of its distribution in England (Fl Derbyshire 2010). Biomass may increase. | L | ML |
| 9. Change fire regime? | Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). In Derbyshire this easily-missed plant is on the northern limit of its distribution in England (Fl Derbyshire 2010). Small or negligible effect on fire risk. | L | M |
| Community Habitat | | | |
| 10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC | EVC = Low Rises Woodland (E); CMA = Wimmera; Bioregion = Wimmera; VH CLIMATE potential. Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Very little displacement of any indigenous species. Sparse/ scattered infestations | L | M |
| (b) medium value EVC | EVC = Grassy Dry Forest (D); CMA = Goulburn Broken; Bioregion = Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Very little displacement of any indigenous species. Sparse/ scattered infestations | L | M |
| (c) low value EVC | EVC = Shrubby Dry Forest (LC); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Very little displacement of any indigenous species. Sparse/ scattered infestations | L | M |
| 11. Impact on structure? | Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Minor or negligible effect on <20% of the floral strata/layers present; usually only affecting one of the strata. | L | M |
| 12. Effect on threatened flora? | No information found. | M | L |
| Fauna | | | |
| 13. Effect on threatened fauna? | No information found. | M | L |
| 14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? | Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Minor effects on fauna species; minor hazard or reduction in habitat/food/ shelter. | ML | ML |
| 15. Benefits fauna? | Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm; crimson flowers 1–2 per plant (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). In Derbyshire this easily-missed plant is on the northern limit of its distribution in England (Fl Derbyshire 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Provides very little support to desirable species. | H | M |
| 16. Injurious to fauna? | Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death (BluWiki, undated). Large spines or burrs dangerous to fauna. Toxic, and/or causes allergies. | H | M |
| Pest Animal | | | |
| 17. Food source to pests? | Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death (BluWiki, undated). Provides minimal food for pest animals. | L | M |
| 18. Provides harbour? | Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m (Melderis 2007). In Derbyshire this easily-missed plant is on the northern limit of its distribution in England (Fl Derbyshire 2010). No harbour for pest species. | L | M |
| Agriculture | | | |
| 19. Impact yield? | L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death … Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia occurs in crops (Biologie Végétale 2010). Major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use, e.g. farm forestry.) | MH | ML |
| 20. Impact quality? | L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death … Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia occurs in crops (Biologie Végétale 2010). Major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use, e.g. farm forestry.) | L | M |
| 21. Affect land value? | L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death … Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia occurs in crops (Biologie Végétale 2010). Major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use, e.g. farm forestry.) | M | M |
| 22. Change land use? | L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death … Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia occurs in crops (Biologie Végétale 2010). Major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use, e.g. farm forestry.) | H | M |
| 23. Increase harvest costs? | L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). Affected species are cattle, sheep and especially horses … In some cases the disease progresses to death … Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). L. nissolia occurs in crops (Biologie Végétale 2010). Major detrimental change and significant loss for agricultural usage (e.g. complete change to different agricultural use, e.g. farm forestry.) | L | M |
| 24. Disease host/vector? | No information found. | M | L |
Invasive
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Establishment | | | |
| 1. Germination requirements? | L. nissolia favoured low temperatures (<10ş C) for germination, but germinated in all seasons except summer (Van Assche et al. 2003). Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination. | MH | H |
| 2. Establishment requirements? | Grass Vetchling is a native annual [in the UK] of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Requires more specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space or bare ground with access to light and direct rainfall). | ML | MH |
| 3. How much disturbance is required? | Grass Vetchling is a native annual [in the UK] of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. roadsides, wildlife corridors, or areas which have a greater impact by humans such as tourist areas or campsites) or in overgrazed pastures/poorly growing or patchy crops. | ML | M |
| Growth/Competitive | | | |
| 4. Life form? | A slender, annual grass-like herb to 1 m; very difficult to discover when not in flower or fruit because of its close resemblance to grass (Melderis 2007). Other. | L | M |
| 5. Allelopathic properties? | BluWiki, (undated), Fl Derbyshire (2010), Fl Italiana (2010), Flora NW Europe (2010), Frappe (2010), GRIN (2010), Healy (1956), Medical Dictionary (2010), Melderis (2007), Van Assche et al. (2003). None. | L | L |
| 6. Tolerates herb pressure? | Lathyrus nissolia listed as being poisonous to mammals (GRIN 2010). L. nissolia can cause incoordination and collapse of horses during exercise (Frappe 2010). Consumed but non-preferred. | MH | M |
| 7. Normal growth rate? | No information found. | M | L |
| 8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Lathyrus grows in times of drought (BluWiki, undated). Occurs between 100-1300 m (Fl Italiana 2010). Grass Vetchling is an annual plant of disturbed ground and field borders (Fl Derbyshire 2010). L. nissolia occurs in crops, hedgerows and bushes, forest edges, meso-xerophilic meadows, mainly on clay to siliceous substrate (Biologie Végétale 2010). Grows sparingly through ungrazed grass and as weeds on roadside banks; was absent from adjacent stocked pastures (Healy 1956). Tolerant to drought. Unlikely to tolerate waterlogging and salinity. Unknown tolerance to frost and fire. More information needed. | M | L |
| Reproduction | | | |
| 9. Reproductive system | For L. nissolia, c. 66% of seeds recovered after 2.5 years were intact (Van Assche et al. 2003). Flowers may sometimes be self-pollinated (Melderis 2007). Sexual (self and cross-pollination). | ML | ML |
| 10. Number of propagules produced? | Erect or ascending annual to 90 cm; crimson flowers 1–2 per plant (Flora NW Europe 2010). Less than 50. | L | ML |
| 11. Propagule longevity? | For L. nissolia, c. 66% of seeds recovered after 2.5 years were intact (Van Assche et al. 2003). | L | H |
| 12. Reproductive period? | Erect or ascending annual (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb (Melderis 2007). Mature plant produces viable propagules for only 1 year. | L | MH |
| 13. Time to reproductive maturity? | Erect or ascending annual (Flora NW Europe 2010). A slender, annual grass-like herb (Melderis 2007). Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules, or vegetative propagules become separate individuals, in under a year. | H | MH |
| Dispersal | | | |
| 14. Number of mechanisms? | No information found. | M | L |
| 15. How far do they disperse? | No information found. | M | L |
References
Biologie Végétale (2010) Biologie Végétale. UFR Sciences de la Vie. Available at: http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/serres/flore/article.php3?id_article=595 (verified 21 June 2010).
BluWiki, (undated) Lathyrus odoratus L. Available at: http://bluwiki.com/go/Lathyrus_odoratus_L. (verified 21/06/2010).
Fl Derbyshire (2010) The Flora of Derbyshire - Checklist, Maps and Sample Accounts. Lathyrus nissolia (Grass vetchling) page. Available at: http://www.derby.gov.uk/dccwebdev/museum/flora/flora.aspx?SpeciesID=963 (verified 21 June 2010).
Flora Italiana. (2010) Flora Italiana. Genus Lathyrus. Lathyrus nissolia. Available at http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/lathyrus.htm (verified 21 June 2010).
Flora of North Western Europe. (2010) Lathyrus nissolia (Vetchling, Grass). Available at: http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/flora.php?selected=beschrijving&menuentry=soorten&id=2927 (verified 21 June 2010).
Frappe R. (2004) Equine Nutrition and Feeding. John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex, UK. Available at http://books.google.com.au/books?id=qTtgmCp5izQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=nissolia&f=false (verified 21 June 2010).
Healy AJ. (1956) “Contributions to a Knowledge of the Adventive* Flora of New Zealand, No. 5.” In: Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 84: 4, 649-659.
Available at http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_84/rsnz_84_04_006300.pdf (verified 21 June 2010).
Medical Dictionary. (2010) Available at http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Lathyrus (verified 21 June 2010).
Melderis A. (2007) A Handbook of Flowering British Plants. Ward Lock and Co. Melbourne. Available at: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=5EP7rYY69UgC&pg=PA120&dq=%22Lathyrus+nissolia%22&hl=en&ei=BgEfTLuqMIbvcL6PieIM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22Lathyrus%20nissolia%22&f=false (verified 21 June 2010).
Van Assche JA, Debucquoy KLA, and Rommens WAF. (2003) “Seasonal cycles in the germination capacity of buried seeds of some Leguminosae (Fabaceae).” In: New Phytologist 158: 315–323. Available at: http://bio.kuleuven.be/pleco/Publications/PDF/VanAssche/Vanassche2003.pdf (verified 21 June 2010).
Walsh N and Stajsic V. (2007) A Census of the Vascular Plants of Victoria. 8th Edn. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Global present distribution data references
Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2010) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at
http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 28/06/2010).
Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 26/05/2010).
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 26/05/2010).
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 26/05/2010).
Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2010) w3TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 26/05/2010).
United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2000) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 26/05/2010).
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