Skip to main content

Scurfy Pea

Psoralidium tenuiflorum

Last reviewed: July 2026

Scurfy Pea (Psoralidium tenuiflorum)
Photo: Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, IA, ID and 12 more states

Pollinators

bees, moths

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 411 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Scurfy Pea is a compact native perennial that produces small purple flowers from spring through late summer. This drought-tolerant plant forms neat clumps and goes dormant in winter, making it a reliable choice for water-wise landscapes.

In an HOA neighborhood

Scurfy Pea is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The long blooming period provides nectar for native bees and moths throughout most of the growing season. As a legume, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil.

Common questions

How much sun does Scurfy Pea need?
Scurfy Pea grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Scurfy Pea bloom?
Scurfy Pea blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
Where is Scurfy Pea native?
Scurfy Pea (Psoralidium tenuiflorum) is native to CA, CO, IA, ID and 12 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Scurfy Pea attract?
Scurfy Pea draws bees and moths.
Is Scurfy Pea HOA-friendly?
Scurfy Pea is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz