White Pea Vine (2)
The USDA and other entities treat these two peas as different species but I have also seen Lathyrus laetivirens with a synonym of Lathyrus lanswertii var. leucanthus. I guess there is more work to be done in the pea family. To my eye these two look different and Springer et al. 2008 - SEINNet agree. They state "Lathyrus lanszwertii is distinguished from L. laetivirens primarily by its narrower leaf shape, bristles instead of tendrils at the leaf tips, and slightly shorter calyx (5- 7 mm long) ." See also Purple Peavine for purplish peas.
White Pea Vine
Lathyrus lanswertii var. leucanthus
(L. arizonica, L. leucanthus)
Family:
Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA:
Rocky Mountain Sweet Pea, Nevada Pea
Photo taken on:
June 2, 2009
Location:
Cerro Grande Trail, Jemez Mountains, NM
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Slopes, woodland openings
Grows to 20" long, scrambling and vine-like in large patches. Leaves are divided into 4 to 10 leaflets. Leaves have short poorly developed tendrils, sometimes only bristles or nothing at all (Plants of the Rocky Mountains - Kershaw). Flowers are usually white but can be creamy or turn rusty as they age.
Aspen Pea
Lathyrus laetivirens
(L. lanswertii var. leucanthus, L. lanswertii var. laetivirens)
Family:
Pea (Fabaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
June 21, 2009
Location:
Cement Creek, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Plains to montane
Habitat:
Meadows, slopes, woodland openings
Grows to 24" long, climbing and vine-like but sometimes erect. Leaves are grayish-green, divided into 6 to 10 oval-shaped leaflets, and have tendrils at the tips. Flowers are 1/2" long mostly white, sometimes tinged with pale purple or purple-veined, or bluish to purple.