Lathyrus aphaca
Yellow pea
(c) Andre Hosper, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Lathyrus aphaca (Yellow pea) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers and leafletless condition.
Yellow pea is a naturalized annual found in northern Coast Ranges and southern Northern Coast Ranges in disturbed places, especially below 500 meters elevation. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers approximately 10 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with delicate angled stems that have distinctive leaf-like stipules in place of traditional leaflets, it develops coiled tendrils that support its climbing habit. Its unique stipules are large, measuring 1 to 5 centimeters long, and appear lanceolate to ovate with a hastate-sagittate base. The fruit develops as a glabrous pod 2 to 4 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; diagnostic yellow flowers and leafletless condition
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: especially < 500 m
Outside California: to WA, e US, native to Eurasia, Africa
Bloom period
Lathyrus aphaca 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 aphaca native to California?
No. Lathyrus aphaca is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lathyrus aphaca bloom?
Lathyrus aphaca blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lathyrus aphaca belong to?
Lathyrus aphaca is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus aphaca grow in?
Lathyrus aphaca grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.