Creamy Peavine

Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook.
Creamy peavine is a climbing perennial legume. It is widespread in moist to dry open woodlands, especially deciduous or mixed-tree stands. It is sometimes confused with veined or purple peavine (Lathyrus venosus) when not in flower, but the leaves of the two species differ. Creamy peavine is an indicator plant of mesic moisture and average to above-average nutrient status in boreal and sub-boreal BEC classifications in British Columbia. It has been found to be an indicator of burned plant communities in Elk Island Park in northern Alberta. Its growth response after fire may be due to the legume seed dormancy being broken by the fire, and regrowth of from subsurface root material.
Its roots have creeping rhizomes and it is a nitrogen-fixing plant. It is erect to climbing with slightly angled stems that are 30 to 100 cm (12 to 39 in.) tall. It has alternate leaflets in 3 to 4 pairs that are 7 cm (3 in.) long with branched tendrils.
Flowers are white to yellowish white in terminal clusters of 6 to 15. Seed pods are hairless. Seeds can be toxic to humans and livestock, especially horses, and can lead to a condition of partial paralysis called “lathyrism.”