Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii
Lanszwert's pea
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii (Lanszwert's pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by climbing habit, broader leaflets, larger flowers vs. var. aridus.
Lanszwert's pea is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Great Basin in open slopes and pine forests at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces purple to lavender flowers 10 to 16 millimeters long with a delicate, coiled tendril. Growing with climbing or ascending stems that are generally puberulent, it reaches moderate heights in its woodland habitat. Its leaves feature lance-elliptic to lanceolate leaflets that support the plant's graceful climbing structure. The plant's distinctive purple flowers and climbing habit make it a charming component of its montane woodland ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; climbing habit, broader leaflets, larger flowers vs. var. aridus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, pine forest
Elevation: 1200-2000 m
California counties: Placer, Modoc, Humboldt, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Kern, Inyo, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Sierra
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Utah
Bloom period
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii blooms May-Jul.
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 lanszwertii var. lanszwertii native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii bloom?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii grow?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii occurs in Placer, Modoc, Humboldt, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Kern, Inyo, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2000 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii belong to?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii grow in?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. lanszwertii grows in Open slopes, pine forest.
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.