Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet pea
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet pea) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large fragrant flowers and hairy annual habit distinctive.
Sweet pea is a naturalized annual found in the California Floristic Province in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white, pink, or purple flowers 20 to 30 millimeters long with a delicate, fragrant appearance. Growing with sprawling or climbing stems that are generally winged and hairy, it can extend along surfaces with support. Its leaves feature two ovate to narrowly elliptic leaflets 3 to 6 centimeters long, supported by a branched, coiled tendril. The fruit is less than 6 centimeters long and covered in soft hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; large fragrant flowers and hairy annual habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas
Elevation: especially < 1000 m
Outside California: to eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Lathyrus odoratus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 odoratus native to California?
No. Lathyrus odoratus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lathyrus odoratus bloom?
Lathyrus odoratus blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Lathyrus odoratus belong to?
Lathyrus odoratus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus odoratus grow in?
Lathyrus odoratus grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas.
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.