Black Pea

Thermopsis barbata

Fabaceae

This member of the pea family is about 10 inches tall with leaves that have three leaflets. The small rounded leaflets are covered with thick silver hairs. The short spikes of the pea-like flowers, in a most interesting color. The flower color is purple to chocolate-brown. It is found in the northern parts of Himachal Pradesh and Garhwal, on open slopes and high meadows, at altitudes of 3200-4500 m. Flowering: May-July.