Skip to main content

Lathyrus graminifolius - grassleaf pea

Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Lathyrus palustris var. angustifolius, Linnaeus palustris var. graminifolius, Linnaeus palustris var. nudicaulis, Orobus dissitifolius
Other common names
grass-leaf vetchling
grassleaf peavine
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
No

Stems erect or weakly climbing, stems commonly with well-developed tendrils at the tips; leaves compound with long very narrow leaflets; flowers are white marked with purple or blue and turn orange as they age.

Erect or climbing stems that attach themselves to surrounding vegetation with grasping tendrils; 6 to 10 straight, very narrow leaflets, <1/4 inch wide per compound leaf; flowers are solitary, borne on shoots from axil, white to purple or blue.

Habitat

Found in pine forests.

Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9000

Flower Characteristics

Less than 3/4 inch long; on long stems rising from leaf axils; styles (upward extension of the ovary) hairy along the inner edge.

Flower color
White, purple, blue
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Stems erect or weakly climbing; tendrils at the tips; 6 to 10 compound leaflets, with large stipules (leaf-like projections at the base of leaf stalk); leaflets 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, rarely more than 1/4 inch wide.

Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Smooth narrow and flat; 2-valved; 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long.

Fruit type
Pod