ExplorePlants

seaside pea

Lathyrus japonicus

The seaside pea is a lovely plant that grows near the beach. It has pretty purple flowers and green leaves that look like little tendrils. This plant loves sandy soil and can help keep the beach safe from erosion.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The seaside pea is a sprawling plant with attractive purple to pinkish-purple flowers that resemble tiny sweet peas. Its leaves are compound, typically with 4-6 leaflets, and it often has tendrils for climbing. It forms dense mats, distinguishing it from upright beach plants.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusLathyrus
seaside pea
climbing trait badgeflowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgeevergreen trait badge
seaside pea

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Honeybees and bumblebees adore its vibrant flowers, visiting often for sweet nectar and pollen.

Its seeds can float on ocean currents, helping them spread to new beaches across continents!

Some people call it the 'beach pea' because it absolutely loves sandy coastlines and dunes.

This plant is a wild cousin to the peas you might eat for dinner, both belonging to the legume family!

Special abilities

Ability

Salty Survivor

Seaside pea can grow in sandy, salty soil near the ocean thanks to special adaptations that manage salt intake.

Ability

Dune Defender

This plant has deep, spreading roots that help hold loose sand in place, preventing beach erosion.

Ability

Soil Booster

Seaside pea has tiny bacteria friends in its roots that can turn air nitrogen into plant food, enriching poor soils.

Ability

Climbing Champion

The seaside pea uses small, curly tendrils to latch onto other plants or debris, helping it reach for sunlight.

Measurements & details

Height
10-50 cm
Spread
50-200 cm
Flower Size
1.5-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring-summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

visits flowers for nectar

symbiotic with

Rhizobium bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

fixes nitrogen in root nodules

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses on leaves and stems

eaten by

Pea Leaf Weevil

Sitona lineatus

larvae feed on roots, adults on leaves

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is seaside pea?

10-50 cm

How wide does seaside pea spread?

50-200 cm

How big are the flowers on seaside pea?

1.5-2.5 cm

When does seaside pea bloom?

Spring-summer

Is seaside pea edible?

Yes

Is seaside pea toxic?

None

What is seaside pea's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is seaside pea pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants