Oregon Pea
Lathyrus polyphyllus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Oregon Pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus) 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.
Oregon Pea is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Leafy pea is a native perennial wildflower that produces clusters of small pea-like flowers in shades of purple or pink. This climbing or sprawling plant works well as groundcover or can be trained up small supports, adding natural charm to garden beds.
In an HOA neighborhood
Oregon Pea takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Sprawling growth habit can appear uncontrolled
- May look weedy or unkempt in formal settings
- Climbing tendency requires management in maintained landscapes
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the late spring and summer blooming period. As a member of the pea family, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil.
Common questions
- How much sun does Oregon Pea need?
- Oregon Pea grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Oregon Pea bloom?
- Oregon Pea blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Oregon Pea native?
- Oregon Pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Oregon Pea toxic to livestock?
- Oregon Pea is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- What pollinators does Oregon Pea attract?
- Oregon Pea draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Oregon Pea HOA-friendly?
- Oregon 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Oregon Pea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz