Lathyrus hitchcockianus
Bullfrog mountain pea, Bullfrog Mountain Pea
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Lathyrus hitchcockianus (Bullfrog mountain pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by desert washes at 1500m elevation.
Bullfrog mountain pea is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the northeastern Mojave Desert, specifically in the Grapevine Mountains of Inyo County, in desert washes and scrub at elevations of 1,500 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces lilac to purple flowers approximately 8 to 12 millimeters long with delicate, open inflorescences. Growing with slender stems that are distinctively angled or flanged, the plant reaches a moderate height with a climbing habit. Its leaves feature 4 to 6 linear to lanceolate leaflets, each 1 to 1.4 centimeters long, supported by small stipules and equipped with a coiled tendril. The plant is notably glabrous or slightly puberulent, with a clean, sparse appearance characteristic of desert-adapted legumes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; desert washes at 1500m elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, desert scrub
Elevation: 1500 m
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Lathyrus hitchcockianus blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 hitchcockianus native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus hitchcockianus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus hitchcockianus bloom?
Lathyrus hitchcockianus blooms Jun.
What plant family does Lathyrus hitchcockianus belong to?
Lathyrus hitchcockianus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
Is Lathyrus hitchcockianus rare or endangered?
Lathyrus hitchcockianus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Lathyrus hitchcockianus grow in?
Lathyrus hitchcockianus grows in Washes, desert scrub.
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.