Belongs to: pea family

Sea pea Lathyrus japonicus

nationally scarce and declining


Best time to see: Jun to mid Aug

Key facts

A prostrate pea plant of shingle banks and dunes, with fleshy, greyish leaves and purple flowers fading to blue

Declining as a result of sea defence works and coastal development

Pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees and its seeds are dispersed by the sea


© Tony Gunton