Pisum sativwn synthesizes multiple low molecular weight (1mw) heat shock proteins (HSPs) when subjected to high temperature stress. We have characterized a cDNA encoding one of the lmw HSPs. A cDNA library was prepared using mRNA isolated from leaves of P.  sativum (cv 'Little Marvel') which had been heat shocked for 120 min at 39°C (1). The library was screened at reduced stringency with a cDNA clone encoding a soybean (Glycine max) lmw  HSP representing the class VI HSP gene family defined by Raschke et al. (2). Pshspl7.7 was identified and found to hybridize to a transcript whose synthesis as  heat inducible  in P. sativum plants. Pshspl7.7 encoded a 157 amino acid, 17.7 kDa protein which is 78.3% identical to Gmhspl7.9-D, as aligned below. Dashes represent identical amino acids, and asterisks indicate a gap inserted to optimize the alignment. This 10 20 30 40 cDNA represents the second complete sequence reported for this class of SPs in plants.