Lathyrus rigidus

Rigid pea

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Rigid pea is a California native perennial ranked 2B.2 by CNPS, found in Modoc County in sagebrush scrub and disturbed areas at elevations of 800 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to pink flowers 17 to 23 millimeters long in dense clusters of 2 to 5 blooms. Growing with multiple erect, clustered stems that are distinctively angled or flanged, it reaches moderate heights with a clumped growth pattern. Its leaves feature 6 to 10 narrow leaflets, each 1 to 3 centimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to elliptic, with slender bristle-like tendrils. The plant produces glabrous fruits, completing its distinctive structural profile.

Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, disturbed areas

Bloom period: Apr-Jul

Elevation: 800-1200 m

Bioregions: MP (Modoc Co.)

California counties: Modoc, Del Norte

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.