Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis
Sierra nevada pea
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis (Sierra nevada pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by forest habitat, opposite leaflets, and large flowers key.
Sierra nevada pea is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Ranges, and northern and central Sierra Nevada in conifer and mixed forests at elevations of 450 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to blue-purple flowers 13 to 25 millimeters long with delicate, coiled tendrils. Growing with slender angled or flanged stems, it forms a graceful climbing habit with multiple leaflets. Its leaves have 4 to 8 generally opposite leaflets, each 1.5 to 4 centimeters long and typically elliptic or widely ovate in shape. The plant bears glabrous fruits that emerge after its distinctive blue-white blossoms have faded.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; forest habitat, opposite leaflets, and large flowers key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer, mixed forests
Elevation: 450-2300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Butte, Trinity, Placer, Tehama, Plumas, Lassen, Mendocino, Calaveras, Napa, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Shasta, Lake, Amador, El Dorado, Del Norte, Nevada, Tuolumne, Madera, Fresno, Mono
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis blooms Apr-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 nevadensis var. nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis bloom?
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis grow?
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis occurs in Humboldt, Butte, Trinity, Placer, Tehama, Plumas, Lassen, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of 450-2300 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis belong to?
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis grow in?
Lathyrus nevadensis var. nevadensis grows in Conifer, mixed forests.
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.