Lathyrus angulatus
Angled pea vine
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Lathyrus angulatus (Angled pea vine) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by winged stem, thread-like leaflets, single flowers.
Angled pea vine is a naturalized annual found in California's Central Valley and Foothills in disturbed places at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces lavender or purple flowers approximately 9 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with thin stems that are often flanged or slightly winged, it reaches a delicate form with thread-like leaflets 2 to 6 centimeters long. Its leaves have two narrow leaflets with a coiled tendril, creating a distinctive climbing habit. The fruit is glabrous with faint net-like veining, characteristic of this slender introduced pea vine.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; key features are winged stem, thread-like leaflets, single flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: especially < 300 m
California counties: Tehama, Butte, Placer, El Dorado, Marin, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Mendocino, Napa, Sacramento, Lake, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Oregon, native to Europe
Bloom period
Lathyrus angulatus blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Vicia: Lathyrus style is flattened with hairs on top only; Vicia style is round and hairy all around.; vs Pickeringia: Lathyrus has tendrils and compound leaves; Pickeringia is a spiny shrub with simple leaves.; vs Pisum: Lathyrus has small normal stipules; Pisum has giant leafy stipules larger than leaflets.; vs Lupinus: Lathyrus has two leaflets and tendrils; Lupinus has palmate leaves with no tendrils.; vs Hosackia: Lathyrus has exactly two leaflets and tendrils; Hosackia has 3-9 leaflets with no tendrils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lathyrus angulatus native to California?
No. Lathyrus angulatus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lathyrus angulatus bloom?
Lathyrus angulatus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Lathyrus angulatus grow?
Lathyrus angulatus occurs in Tehama, Butte, Placer, El Dorado, Marin, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma and other counties, at elevations of especially < 300 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus angulatus belong to?
Lathyrus angulatus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus angulatus grow in?
Lathyrus angulatus grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.