Smooth tare (Vicia tetrasperma) (also known as Ervum tetraspermum) is a plant belonging to the pea (or bean or legume) family, the Fabaceae (or Leguminosae); so many names for one small plant.

As it grows in grassland and along road verges, it can often get lost amongst the larger, more dominant plant species – that’s certainly my excuse for having overlooked this lovely wildflower in previous years. But it is definitely worth searching for, if only to admire the ethereal beauty of its fine, delicate flowers. These are very pale, white with the merest hint of purple, with fine purple streaking on their upper petals. And now that Smooth tare has come to my attention, I am finding it in many of my favourite walking locations.