Creamy peavine / Lathyrus ochroleucus

Though I have taken many photos of Creamy Peavine, I don't seem to have posted any of them on Flickr. At least, I think I have the correct ID for the plant in this photo. Taken on 14 July 2014, when I called in at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, SW of Calgary.

"Many plants of this genus are eaten by livestock and have been used successfully in various parts of the world. However, they are generally viewed with suspicion because some cause a type of poisoning called lathyrism, which results from eating too much vetchling seed over long periods of time. Epidemics of lathyrism date back to ancient Greece, but cases in humans usually occurred during famines when people were forced to eat vetchling almost exclusively. After 10 days to 4 weeks, this can cause progressive loss of coordination, ending in irreversible paralysis. Vetchling is not generally considered poisonous but these plants should be approached with caution. Lathyrus is the ancient Greek name for a 'pea' or 'a pulse' (legume)." From borealforest.org.

www.borealforest.org/herbs/herb19.htm

www.peaceforagetool.ca/species/creamy-peavine