1213 Lathyrus japonicus Willd.

Syn.: L. maritimus (L.) Bigel.

This polymorphic species occurs in W. and E. Eurasia and N. America. Its taxonomy and geography seem to be uncertain in detail (cf. Hultén, Circumpol. II, p. 184, 381 f.). Fl. Eur. 2/1968, p. 138, presents two subspecies, viz. subsp. japonicus with pubescent calyx, occurring mainly in the arctic region, and subsp. maritimus (L.) P. W. Ball without pubescence, preferring temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. On this map the known material of the species s. lat. is differentiated, as far as possible, to correspond to the above-mentioned grouping. Therefore, the map may be considered preliminary. Totally the species belongs to the discontinuous circumpolar plants (Hultén, l. cit. and map 176). Further, it occurs as native on the coast of central Chile. Cf. also Meusel et al. 1965, map p. 252.