|
| Lathyrus vestitus |
| Family: Fabaceae (Pea) |
| Flowers — color: white & lavender, size: 1", type: pea, banner & keel |
We see here the classic pea-shaped flower—banner and keel. Two petals with violet veins form the banner. The colored veins direct pollinators to the goods, and the banner only rises when the pollen is ready. Three white petals overlap and project horizontally, forming the keel, a boat hull shape, and wings. When a heavy bug, like a bumblebee, lands lands on the 'wings', the keel opens and pollen sticks to the bug's body. This pollen will fertilize this or other flowers. A butterfly is not heavy enough to pollinate, may still find some nectar.
The blooms appear in a cluster of a dozen flowers that appear to bloom in layers.
Habit:
Pacific Pea is a perennial vine that may form low thickets or climb into the trees. The vines hold complex leaves with up to a dozen leaflets. Each leaflet is oblong, faintly veined and has a distinct point. The stems are smooth, in contrast to the non-native everlasting pea also present in BMER.
Some Native American tribes have used the leaves and stems for greens. But the seeds of some sweet peas contain a neurotoxin that may not be pleasnt for humans. Like other legumes, Pacific Pea roots hold bacteria that fixes nitrogen, an important fertilizer, from the air to the soil.
Observations:
I've only seen this in the woodland understory, but it is said to enjoy full sunlight.