woodland wildflower

Veiny pea

Lathyrus venosus

Also known as Veiny Vetchling, Wild Sweet Pea, Bushy Vetch

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Southern Ontario to Saskatchewan, south to Georgia mountains, Tennessee and Louisiana

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
Zones 2–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for partial shade and dry to moist soil. Its pink and purple flowers peak in June. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 2–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Veiny pea's pink and purple flowers bloom May to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees and butterflies.

Veiny pea blooms pink & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Brown-belted Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Black-tailed Bumble Bee +12 more
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee, Western Bumble Bee, Cryptic Bumble Bee, Bufflehead Mason Bee, Osmia collinsiae, Colletes cyaneus, Augochlora semiramis, Xylocopa augusti, Xylocopa ciliata, Bellicose Bumble Bee
Butterflies Silvery Blue

also Hobomok Skipper, Northern Cloudywing, Eufala Skipper +1 more
Western Tailed-Blue
Wasps Euodynerus foraminatus

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Silvery bluehost & nectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (27): AL, AR, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. Canada (3): MB, ON, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Southern Ontario to Saskatchewan, south to Georgia mountains, Tennessee and LouisianaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 2–9 · Canadian 1–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Various mesic soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.

Growth & form

Height: up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: May–JulWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: ripens Jun–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.