Foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Mesa Verde National Park, Point Lookout Trail, May 16, 2001.

Lathyrus eucosmus is fairly common in Mesa Verde National Park and attracts attention because of its large, showy flowers which range from light pink to light violet. Notice the tendril at the end of the leaves.

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, Utah, April 24, 2006.

Lathyrus pauciflorus flowers are a vibrant blue-pink, fading (as shown here) to inky blues.  The plant, typical of member of its genus, often grows in extensive patches, commonly around and under Oaks and Ponderosas.  Tendrils at the leaf tips are tenacious.  Individual leaves are long, pointed, and widely spaced.  This is a very handsome plant that  grabs your attention when it is in flower.

"Pauciflorus" is Latin for "few flowers".

The plant was first collected by Thomas Howell in 1887 in Washington and is found in a band from Washington and Oregon through southern Idaho to Utah and southwest Colorado.

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, Utah, April 24, 2006.

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, Utah, April 24, 2006.