Marsh Pea

I discovered a new (to me) wild flower this summer, called Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris).  It's a member of the bean family, so I don't know why it's called Marsh Pea.  At first, I was positive it was a Sweet Pea, even though it seemed odd for a cultivated plant to be growing so unfettered in a wild area.  Probably the person that named it thought so, too. 

They don't usually grow this straight.

A fly sits on the right, giving a sense of scale.

Here was my initial reaction to this Rorschach photograph...

• The flower buds look similar to the swollen seed pods of Wild Indigo.  

• The fully open flower looks like an orchid.

• The bright pink buds look like a fortune cookie or a clam shell.

Here's my revised reaction:  They look like Marsh Pea parts.
 

Colors range from pink to purple, in various saturations.

A nice background for Yarrow.

A gentle swoop.

And a little morning dew.  I think this might be my favorite native plant.