Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi
Tracy's nevada pea
Photo: parent species Lathyrus lanszwertii · (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi (Tracy's nevada pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by white to cream flowers diagnostic within species complex.
Tracy's nevada pea is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in conifer forest at elevations of 200 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to cream flowers with dark-striate banners, measuring 9 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with climbing or erect stems that are glabrous or slightly hairy, it develops well-formed tendrils or bristle-like appendages. Its leaves feature linear to elliptic leaflets that support the plant's delicate climbing habit. The plant has a distinctive chromosome count of 2n=14, contributing to its unique botanical characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; white to cream flowers diagnostic within species complex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest
Elevation: 200-1100 m
Bloom period
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi 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. tracyi native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi bloom?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi belong to?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi grow in?
Lathyrus lanszwertii var. tracyi grows in Conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.