chaparral pea
ExplorePlants
chaparral pea
Pickeringia montana
The chaparral pea is a beautiful shrub with bright purple flowers. It grows in sunny areas and helps make the environment colorful and lively.
Habitat: Mountain regions
Appearance
The chaparral pea is a robust, spiny shrub adorned with striking reddish-purple, pea-like flowers. Its dark green, compound leaves have three leaflets, giving it a distinct texture. These vibrant blossoms create a beautiful contrast against its sturdy, woody stems.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusPickeringia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It's like a living fortress, with spiny branches guarding its leaves from browsers!
Its scientific name, Pickeringia, honors American botanist Charles Pickering.
The chaparral pea's wood is so hard, it was once used to make small, strong tools.
This tough plant can live for many decades, some even over 100 years!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Resister
Chaparral pea has thick bark and can resprout from its root crown after a wildfire, helping it survive and thrive in burn areas.
Ability
Soil Builder
Chaparral pea can pull nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer to help other plants grow.
Ability
Thirsty Survivor
Chaparral pea has deep roots that can reach water far below the surface, allowing it to stay green during dry periods.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring-Early Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Yellow-faced bumblebee
Bombus vosnesenskii
collects nectar and pollen
eaten by
Mule deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses on tender leaves and shoots
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult, as some might not be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is chaparral pea?
100-300 cm
How wide does chaparral pea spread?
100-200 cm
How big are the flowers on chaparral pea?
1-2 cm
When does chaparral pea bloom?
Spring-Early Summer
Is chaparral pea edible?
No
Is chaparral pea toxic?
None
What is chaparral pea's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is chaparral pea pollinated?
Insect
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