Lathyrus tingitanus
Tangier pea
(c) Daniel Cahen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Cahen · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Lathyrus tingitanus (Tangier pea) is a non-native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive winged stems, 2 leaflets, and non-native status.
Tangier pea is a naturalized annual found in California's Central Coast and Southwestern California in generally disturbed areas, especially coastal regions, at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces maroon to crimson flowers approximately 25 to 30 millimeters long in small open clusters of 2 to 3 blooms. Growing with distinctively winged stems and thin climbing tendrils, it reaches a moderate height with branched, coiled tendrils. Its leaves feature two lanceolate to widely ovate leaflets measuring 2 to 6 centimeters long, with small or conspicuous stipules. The smooth, glabrous fruit is less than 10 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; distinctive winged stems, 2 leaflets, and non-native status
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally disturbed areas, especially coastal
Elevation: generally < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Marin, Lake, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Napa, Mendocino, Butte, San Diego, Humboldt, El Dorado, Amador, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Orange, Shasta, Del Norte, Yolo, Nevada
Outside California: Oregon, sporadic in western United States, native to Europe, northern Africa
Bloom period
Lathyrus tingitanus 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 tingitanus native to California?
No. Lathyrus tingitanus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lathyrus tingitanus bloom?
Lathyrus tingitanus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lathyrus tingitanus grow?
Lathyrus tingitanus occurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Monterey, Marin, Lake, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of generally < 500 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus tingitanus belong to?
Lathyrus tingitanus is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus tingitanus grow in?
Lathyrus tingitanus grows in Generally disturbed areas, especially coastal.
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.