Large Leaved Lupine
Lupinus littoralis
Description: Perennial from woody rhizome, erect, hollow-based stems grow up to 1.5m tall. Leaves are palmately compound with 10-17 lance-shaped leaflets. Violet or blue pea like flowers grow to 1.5cm long in dense clusters to 40cm long. Produces hairy pods to 5cm long.
Ecology: Found in moist to wet, open habitats, often at stream or beach sides, wet meadows and disturbed areas at low and middle elevations
Notes: This blue-flowered specimen was found at Chapman Creek, Sechelt, BC, June 01.
Giant Vetch
Vicia gigantea
Description: Succulent perennial herb on stout hollow upright or climbing stems. Compound, slightly hairy leaves, has a terminal branched tendril, 18-26 leaflets 3.5cm long. Flowers are yellowish white to orange, may be purple tinged, pea like in 1 sided long stalked clusters of 7-20 flowers.
Ecology: Common in disturbed sites, openings, forest edges and streams, all at low elevation.
Notes: This picture was taken in a dry, open clear-cut in Sechelt, BC.
Tufted Vetch
Vicia cracca
Description: Introduced perennial with climbing or trailing stems to 2m long. Leaves are compound with terminal branched tendrils, leaflets 16-24 to 3cm long with pointed tips. Bluish to reddish purple pea like flowers in dense 1 sided clusters of 20-50. Produces hairless 3cm pods.
Ecology: Common in disturbed open sites including forests and thickets, roadsides etc at low to middle elevations.
Notes: This picture was taken on a moist roadside thicket in Sechelt, BC, June 2001.
Black Medic
Medicago lupulina
Description: Annual to 50cm tall that may be upright or crawling, with tiny yellow pea-like flowers and compound 3-foliate leaflets 1-2cm long.
Ecology: Common on disturbed soils at low elevations.
Notes: INTRODUCED weedy herb. This picture was taken along a roadside in Roberts Creek, BC, June 2003.
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Description: Perennial herb from creeping stems up to 60cm long, rooting at nodes that touch the soil. 3 Leaflets are finely toothed 1-2cm long, white or pinkish white flowers are pea-like 1cm long in dense round heads up to 2cm in diameter.
Ecology: Common in disturbed areas near human habitation, and open grassy sites from low to subalpine elevations.
Notes: INTRODUCED European weed. Common yard and garden weed. This picture was taken in an open forest trail (old logging road) in Sechelt, BC, summer 2003.
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Description: Perennial herb to 60cm tall on creeping stems that will root at the nodes. Has 3 leaflets that are very finely toothed, produces characteristic pink or reddish pea like flowers in dense round long stalked heads to 2cm wide.
Ecology: Common lawn weed, also in disturbed areas near human settlements, roadsides, clearings, grassy fields.
Notes: INTRODUCED weed from Europe, differentiated from other clovers by its large pink-red flower heads with leaves immediately below the flowers. A great herbal medicine used for all kinds of skin conditions, eczema especially, also a terrific blood purifier when used internally.
