Lathyrus glandulosus
Sticky pea, Sticky Pea
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Lathyrus glandulosus (Sticky pea) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by glandular-puberulent habit and gland-dotted leaflets.
Sticky pea is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges of Humboldt and northern Mendocino counties in oak woodlands and roadsides at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers 10 to 14 millimeters long with distinctive glandular characteristics. Growing with strongly angled stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it has a delicate climbing habit with branched tendrils. Its leaves have 14 to 16 leaflets, each 3 to 5 centimeters long, ovate to lanceolate with conspicuous gland dots on the undersides. The fruit is distinctively gland-dotted, adding to the plant's unique textural appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; diagnostic glandular-puberulent habit and gland-dotted leaflets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides, oak woodland
Elevation: < 800 m
Bloom period
Lathyrus glandulosus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 glandulosus native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus glandulosus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus glandulosus bloom?
Lathyrus glandulosus blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lathyrus glandulosus belong to?
Lathyrus glandulosus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
Is Lathyrus glandulosus rare or endangered?
Lathyrus glandulosus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Lathyrus glandulosus grow in?
Lathyrus glandulosus grows in Roadsides, oak woodland.
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.