Lathyrus jepsonii
Delta tule pea
(c) Konshau Duman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Konshau Duman · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Lathyrus jepsonii (Delta tule pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by key features: climbing, winged stems, many leaflets.
Delta tule pea is a California native perennial vine found in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in low-elevation wetland and marsh habitats. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate pink to pink-purple flowers approximately 15 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with climbing stems that are distinctively winged, it extends through surrounding vegetation using a branched, coiled tendril. Its leaves feature 10 to 16 lanceolate leaflets arranged subopposite to alternate, each measuring 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters long. Small, narrow stipules accompany each leaf, contributing to the plant's intricate structural design.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated but parent taxon; key features: climbing, winged stems, many leaflets
Habitat and range
California counties: Sonoma, Colusa, Solano, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Mendocino, Sacramento, Alpine, Merced
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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lathyrus jepsonii grow?
Lathyrus jepsonii occurs in Sonoma, Colusa, Solano, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Mendocino, Sacramento, Alpine and other counties.
What plant family does Lathyrus jepsonii belong to?
Lathyrus jepsonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.