Lathyrus japonicus

Seaside pea

Family: Fabaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1

Seaside pea is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in northern coastal areas of Del Norte and Humboldt counties along coastal beaches and dunes at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces blue-purple flowers with a two-colored appearance in compact clusters of 3 to 8 blooms. Growing with sprawling, angled stems that are glabrous or slightly hairy, it spreads across sandy coastal terrain with a delicate, climbing habit. Its leaves feature 6 to 8 fleshy, ovate or elliptic leaflets measuring 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long, accompanied by distinctive branched or coiled tendrils. The plant's fruits are lightly covered in fine hairs, contributing to its subtle maritime charm.

Habitat: Coastal beaches, dunes

Bloom period: Jun-Aug

Elevation: < 30 m

Bioregions: NCo (Del Norte, Humboldt cos.)

California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.