Lathyrus sphaericus
Grass peavine
(c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eleftherios Katsillis · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Lathyrus sphaericus (Grass peavine) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by unique orange-red flower color diagnostic.
Grass peavine is a naturalized annual found in the California Floristic Province in disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces orange-red flowers about 8 to 14 millimeters long on slender stems. Growing with delicate tendrils and glabrous stems, it forms a slender climbing habit typical of pea-like plants. Its leaves feature two linear to narrowly lanceolate leaflets 2 to 6 centimeters long, accompanied by small, narrow stipules. The plant produces smooth fruits with distinct longitudinal veining, characteristic of its pea family lineage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; unique orange-red flower color diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Sonoma, Butte, Orange, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo, Humboldt, Napa, Shasta, Monterey
Outside California: Oregon, native to Eurasia, Africa
Bloom period
Lathyrus sphaericus blooms Apr-May.
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 sphaericus native to California?
No. Lathyrus sphaericus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lathyrus sphaericus bloom?
Lathyrus sphaericus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lathyrus sphaericus grow?
Lathyrus sphaericus occurs in Sonoma, Butte, Orange, Mendocino, Marin, San Mateo, Humboldt, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus sphaericus belong to?
Lathyrus sphaericus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus sphaericus grow in?
Lathyrus sphaericus grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
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.