Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Lathyrus latifolius var. splendens
Other common names
everlasting-pea, everlasting peavine
perennial peavine
perennial sweetpea
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Lathyrus odoratus
Height
2 to 6-1/2 feet
Riparian
No
Naturalized, long-lived, smooth perennial with rhizomes, often robust, more or less woody; winged stems; compound leaves with 2 leaflets, ending in coiled tendrils; showy flowers bloom on long stalks extending beyond foliage.
Rhizomatous perennial; weakly trailing/climbing, winged stems; leaves have 2 narrowly lance-like leaflets; stems end in well-developed tendril; flowers pinkish-purple to reddish or white, large, showy, typical pea family flower of banner, wing and keel.
Habitat
Disturbed areas, especially roadsides.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
6600
Flower Characteristics
Elongated clusters on 4 to 8 inch long stalks arising from leaf axils, 5 to 15 flowers per stalk; pinkish-purple, sometimes reddish to white; flowers have pea-type structure with large banner, 2 wings and 2 keels (which are hidden within wings).
Flower color
Pinkish-purple, reddish or white
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems with broad wings, 1/4 inch wide, running parallel to stem; compound leaves with single pair of leaflets, 2 to 4 inches long, elliptic to lance-like, pointed at tip, terminating in well-developed tendrils; pair of leaf-like stipules at leaf base.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Bluish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits are a flattened, narrow legume 2-1/2 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide; pods turning from green to brown with age.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green
Fleshy, round, green seeds, 10 to 15 per pod.