Lathyrus delnorticus
Del norte pea, Del Norte Pea
(c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lathyrus delnorticus (Del norte pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by found on streambanks and serpentine 250-700m.
Del norte pea is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the northwestern Klamath Ranges in Del Norte and western Siskiyou counties along serpentine streambanks at elevations of 250 to 700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers with lavender striations, fading to yellow-tan, on dense inflorescences with 8 to 10 blooms. Growing with slender stems that are distinctively flanged or narrowly winged, it reaches moderate heights with a delicate, climbing habit. Its leaves feature small, widely triangular stipules and 10 to 16 generally subopposite leaflets, each 3 to 5 centimeters long and elliptic or lanceolate in shape, with a branched, coiled tendril. The fruit develops glabrous and smooth, characteristic of this elegant pea species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; found on streambanks and serpentine 250-700m
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, on serpentine
Elevation: 250-700 m
California counties: Del Norte, Santa Clara, Sutter, Siskiyou, Santa Barbara
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Lathyrus delnorticus blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 delnorticus native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus delnorticus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus delnorticus bloom?
Lathyrus delnorticus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lathyrus delnorticus grow?
Lathyrus delnorticus occurs in Del Norte, Santa Clara, Sutter, Siskiyou, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 250-700 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus delnorticus belong to?
Lathyrus delnorticus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
Is Lathyrus delnorticus rare or endangered?
Lathyrus delnorticus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.