Because of lockdown we have to stay near our homes. In Dordogne there are still many corners with interesting wildflowers, and you risk, even when you respect lockdown rules, to come upon some surprising plants. Like this little yellow pea, an Annual Pea (Lathyrus annuus) that grows on the edge of a field just a bit more than 100 m from a house.
Its leaves look like the grass blades on which it attaches itself with its curling vines. If there are no flowers it is surely difficult to find it.
This plant made already big pods covered with very fine hairs. A fair chance it will be back next year. It was not evident to find its name, it is not yet in the 'flore de Dordogne'. There are only very few mentions for this species in Dordogne, so it is very rare and it is really extraordinary to stumble upon it.
Some questions need to be asked. Why is Annual Pea so rare? It is considered as a Mediterranean plant, is it enlarging its area towards the North because spring temperatures are on the rise? Or has it been here since long and has become rare because of (let's say) destruction of habitat? Or has it been always rare?
To verify.