Lathyrus biflorus
Two-flowered pea
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Lathyrus biflorus (Two-flowered pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by highly restricted serpentine endemic with distinctive 2-flowered habit.
Two-flowered pea is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges in Red Mountain, Humboldt County on serpentine habitats at elevations around 1,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces green-white flowers with dark stripes, approximately 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with small wiry stems that are angled or flanged, this delicate perennial reaches a compact size with distinctive slender characteristics. Its leaves feature four small lance-oblong leaflets generally 5 to 10 millimeters long, accompanied by small stipules and a bristle-like unbranched tendril. The plant bears an unusual two-flowered inflorescence with a calyx tube longer than its lobes, creating a distinctive botanical profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; highly restricted serpentine endemic with distinctive 2-flowered habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine
Elevation: +- 1300 m.
Bloom period
Lathyrus biflorus blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 biflorus native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus biflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus biflorus bloom?
Lathyrus biflorus blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Lathyrus biflorus belong to?
Lathyrus biflorus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
Is Lathyrus biflorus rare or endangered?
Lathyrus biflorus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lathyrus biflorus grow in?
Lathyrus biflorus grows in Serpentine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.