Lathyrus vestitus var. alefeldii

San diego pea

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

San diego pea is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal regions, southern Channel Islands, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral habitats at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces striking wine red to dark purple flowers with banners that are generally reflexed at more than 90 degrees. Growing with slender climbing stems to moderate heights, it displays a glabrous (smooth) vegetative structure. Its leaves feature delicate compound leaflets typical of pea-like plants, supporting its climbing growth habit. The distinctive deep-colored flowers and reflexed banner make this variety a notable member of the Lathyrus genus.

Habitat: Chaparral

Bloom period: Feb-Jul

Elevation: < 1200 m

Bioregions: SCo, s ChI, PR.

California counties: Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Sonoma, Orange, Tuolumne, San Francisco, San Mateo

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