Vigna luteola

One of 4 vines with 3 leaflets and the others have pink flowers. Only pea in Eastern US with yellow flowers. Tolerant of brackish conditions. No stipules at leaf base. Tiny stipuoles (glands) at base of terminal leaflet (as does Amphicarpaea bracteata which has no pubescence on upper leaflets while Vigna has a pubescence terminal leaflet).

Desirable to cattle as forage. Eaten by deer.

Waste places, borders of marshes and low fields.

Can be used as a short-term (±3 years) legume in pasture, or as a green manure in cropland. Despite its performance in a range of environments and applications, V. luteola has not achieved wide acceptance by farmers. It is, however, one of the best legumes for wet conditions and one of the best pioneer plants in such situations. It forms a good ground cover in shaded situations, but its twining habit may present problems with young trees.