Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Sea Pea
Lathyrus japonicus ssp. maritimus
- Family: Pea Family – Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- Height: 25–60 cm (10–25 in.)
- Flower: Corolla irregular (zygomorphic), 14–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in.) long. Purple petals five: the upstanding the “standard”, the lateral two the “wings”, the lower two united to form the ‘keel’, overall shape of corolla being butterfly-like. Sepals five, united. A single carpel. Stamens ten. Inflorescence a raceme with 5–12 flowers.
- Leaves: Alternate. Even-pinnate, leaflets in 3–5 pairs, elliptic, bluish-green, terminal leaflet modified into a tendril. Stipules conspicuous, broad.
- Fruit: A brown legume, 30–50 mm (1.2–2 in.) long.
- Habitat: Sandy and rocky seashores.
- Flowering time: July–August.
The sea pea is a decorative creeping perennial. It occurs on flat sandy shores as well as on sand-dunes, beyond the reach of the waves. In Finland, the species is divided into three varieties: the densely short-hairy var. pubescens occurring on the coasts of the Gulf of Bothnia, the hairless var. maritimus occurring on the southern coast, and the small rare var. acutifolius that occurs on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The sea pea is a poisonous plant.
