Pacific Pea

The Pacific Pea is a perennial pea vine, whose appearance varies across subspecies. The silver green leaves of this plant are made up of several leaflets, typically rounded and oblong, 4-5 cm in length. The stems snaked out from the central root, supporting themselves with numerous light-green tendrils. The dense flower clusters, located at the end of the stems, bear up to 15 pea flowers of either violet, pale purple, or white.

Basic Information

• Member of the Fabaceae, or pea family

• Has numerous subspecies and varieties including:

  • Lathyrus vestitus ssp. alefeldii

  • Lathyrus vestitus ssp. bolanderi

  • Lathyrus vestitus ssp. laetiflorus

  • Lathyrus vestitus ssp. laevicarpus

  • Lathyrus vestitus ssp. vestitus

Habitat

• Native to western North America, though mostly in found coastal California

• Common in forests, woodlands, and chaparral

• The ranges of some subspecies extend into Oregon and Baja California

Ecological Role

• Frequented by insects, especially large bees, and hummingbirds for nectar

• Acts as a host plant for the larval stage of the two butterflies silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) and northern cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) butterflies

Reproduction

• Mainly blooms in winter and spring

• Produces pea pod, a single-chambered seed pod that opens along 2 seams

Alternative Names

• Bolander's Pea, Common Pacific Pea

Historical Uses

• The Ohlone made a decoction of roots for use as a general medicinal remedy and as an emetic for internal injuries

• The Miwok ate the raw seeds and greens