About Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt.
Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt. is a species of wild pea with the common name leafy pea. It is native to the western United States, ranging from Washington to northern California, where it grows in forests and other types of habitat. It is a perennial herb that produces long leaves, each composed of many pairs of oval-shaped leaflets several centimeters long. The leaves also bear tendrils, which may be long, branched, and coiled, or reduced to just a short bristle. Its stipules are large, often measuring over one centimeter wide. The plant produces an inflorescence holding up to 12 pea flowers, which are usually arranged in a line along one side of the stem. The flowers are up to 2 centimeters wide and can come in a range of purple shades. Its fruit is a dehiscent legume pod that contains peas.
