Wild Sweet Pea
All parts of this plant are POISONOUS to humans
- Iñupiaq name: Unavailable
- Family: Fabaceae
- Scientific name: Hedysarum mackenzii
- Distinguishing characteristics: Large, showy flowers are distinct looking with a strong sweet smell. Stems are typically unbranched, bearing leaves with hairy undersides.
- Similar species: Wild sweet pea looks very similar to other members of the Fabaceae, like Alpine sweetvetch, a non-poisonous plant. The flowers of wild sweet pea are large and red-purple, while the flowers of Alpine sweetvetch are small and light pink in comparison.
- Habitat: Rocky slopes and river bars.
- Do not harvest this plant, as all parts are poisonous to humans (see information on alpine sweetvetch).
![Wild Sweet Pea](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/hedysarum_mackenzii1[1598559460].jpg)
Photo by Alfred Cook, Circle District Historical Society
![Wild Sweet Pea](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/hedysarum_mackenzii2[1598559460].jpg)
Photo via Circle District Historical Society
![Wild Sweet Pea](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/hedysarum_mackenzii3[1598559460].jpg)
Photo by Matt Lavin