Minnesota Wildflowers


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Lathyrus ochroleucus (Cream Pea)

Plant Info
Also known as: Pale Pea, Cream Peavine, Pale Vetchling
Genus:Lathyrus
Family:Fabaceae (Pea)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; woods
Bloom season:May - July
Plant height:1 to 3 foot vine
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: irregular raceme

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in clusters that arise from the leaf axils, with 5 to 10 flowers in a cluster. Each flower is a typical pea shape, ½ to ¾ inch long, and creamy white to pale yellow, sometimes turning orange with age.

Leaves and stem: alternate compound

[photo of leaves] Leaves are compound in groups of 3 to 5 pairs, with a tendril at the end of the leaf stem that wraps around other plants for support. Leaflets are oval to egg-shaped, 1 to 2 inches long and to 1¼ inch wide, becoming smaller at the end of the leaf stem. At the leaf axil is a pair of leaf-like appendages (stipules) that are about ½ inch long and sharply pointed at the tip end. The main stem is angled.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN May-June 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Kenneth in Zimmerman
on: 2010-06-14 15:54:03

This plant starts flowering in early June on the Woodland Trail, a hiking loop off the Wildlife Drive, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Zimmerman, Minnesota.

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