Lathyrus torreyi
Redwood pea
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Lathyrus torreyi (Redwood pea) is a native California vine in the Fabaceae family, recognized by distinctive 1-2 flowered clusters and reduced/absent tendrils.
Redwood pea is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California regions including North Coast, North Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in open woodland habitats at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate lilac to pale purple-blue flowers approximately 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with slender angled or flanged stems that are slightly hairy, it develops a climbing habit with leafy tendrils. Its compound leaves feature 10 to 15 elliptic to ovate leaflets, each 1 to 2 centimeters long, accompanied by small narrow or wide stipules. The plant produces puberulent fruits that complement its delicate woodland growth pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinctive 1-2 flowered clusters and reduced/absent tendrils
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Trinity, Santa Clara, Del Norte, Siskiyou, San Mateo, Glenn, Lake
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Lathyrus torreyi 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 torreyi native to California?
Yes. Lathyrus torreyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lathyrus torreyi bloom?
Lathyrus torreyi blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Lathyrus torreyi grow?
Lathyrus torreyi occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Trinity, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Lathyrus torreyi belong to?
Lathyrus torreyi is in the Fabaceae family, genus Lathyrus.
What habitat does Lathyrus torreyi grow in?
Lathyrus torreyi grows in Open woodland.
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.