Pickeringia montana var. montana
Montana chaparral pea
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Pickeringia montana var. montana (Montana chaparral pea) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated primarily by fruit abundance and geographic distribution.
Montana chaparral pea is a California native shrub found in northern Coast Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, northern Channel Islands, and Transverse Ranges in chaparral and open woodland at elevations generally below 660 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pink to magenta flowers in clusters along its branches. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with stiff, woody stems that are grayish-green and somewhat rigid, it forms a dense, rounded bush. Its compound leaves have multiple leaflets, typically pinnate with 5 to 7 dark green, oblong leaflets each 2 to 4 centimeters long. The fruit is sparse and rarely abundant, typical of its genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric varieties; differentiated primarily by fruit abundance and geographic distribution
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, open woodland
Elevation: generally < 660 m (1700 m in south)
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Nevada, Napa, Lake, San Mateo, Alameda, Marin, Monterey, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Amador, Butte, Mariposa, San Diego, Yuba, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Colusa, Solano, Riverside
Bloom period
Pickeringia montana var. montana blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Lathyrus: Pickeringia is a dense woody shrub; sweet pea is a climbing vine with tendrils.; vs Ceanothus: Pickeringia has large pea-shaped flowers; ceanothus has tiny flowers in dense puffy clusters.; vs Polygala: Pickeringia has typical pea flowers; milkwort has flowers with wing-like sepals and fringed petals.; vs Acmispon: Pickeringia is a large woody shrub with spines; deerweed is small and herbaceous without spines.; vs Salvia: Pickeringia has pea flowers; sage has tubular two-lipped flowers and aromatic square stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pickeringia montana var. montana native to California?
Yes. Pickeringia montana var. montana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Pickeringia montana var. montana bloom?
Pickeringia montana var. montana blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Pickeringia montana var. montana grow?
Pickeringia montana var. montana occurs in San Luis Obispo, Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Nevada, Napa, Lake and other counties, at elevations of generally < 660 m (1700 m in south).
What plant family does Pickeringia montana var. montana belong to?
Pickeringia montana var. montana is in the Fabaceae family, genus Pickeringia.
What habitat does Pickeringia montana var. montana grow in?
Pickeringia montana var. montana grows in Chaparral, 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.