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Nevada Pea

Lathyrus lanszwertii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Nevada Pea (Lathyrus lanszwertii)
Photo: (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair

Toxicity unknown

Nevada Pea (Lathyrus lanszwertii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 8 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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A low-growing native wildflower that produces delicate pink to purple pea-like blooms from May through July. This drought-tolerant perennial forms compact clumps with fine-textured foliage and requires minimal water once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Nevada Pea takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Appears too wild and informal for typical HOA standards
  • Can look sparse or weedy when not in bloom
  • May die back significantly during dormant periods

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and other pollinators during the spring and early summer blooming period.

Common questions

How much sun does Nevada Pea need?
Nevada Pea grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Nevada Pea bloom?
Nevada Pea blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Nevada Pea native?
Nevada Pea (Lathyrus lanszwertii) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 8 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Nevada Pea attract?
Nevada Pea draws bees.
Is Nevada Pea HOA-friendly?
Nevada Pea takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Nevada Pea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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