Native Plants
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Lathyrus japonicus
Lathyrus japonicus Willd.
Beach Pea, Sand Pea
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LAJA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
Trailing vine with a stout, angled stem and pink-lavender pea-like flowers in long-stalked clusters.
In addition to North America, this widely distributed Sweetpea-like flower is also found in Chile and Japan. Marsh Pea (L. palustris), a similar species with purple flowers and lanceolate stipules, is found in wet meadows and marshes in the Northeast and Midwest.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Leaf: Dark Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CT , IL , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , VT , WA , WICanada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Coastal Labrador to New England; south to New Jersey; along the Great Lakes; Pacific coast from Alaska to California.
Native Habitat: Beaches and gravelly areas.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy
Benefit
Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Peas and very young pods. Collect young pods in early summer and peas slightly later. Do not wash with detergent or sanitizer, only water. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Seeds. Toxic if ingested in large quantities. Symptoms include Lathyrism"": paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions. Toxic Principle: Amine, phenol, and glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tailed Blue
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lathyrus japonicus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lathyrus japonicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lathyrus japonicus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-03-17Research By: TWC Staff