Lathyrus japonicus is a legume native to temperate coastal areas of Asia, Europe, North and South America.
It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing trailing stems to 50-80 cm long, typically on sand and gravel storm beaches. The leaves are waxy glaucous green, 5-10 cm long, pinnate, with 2-5 pairs of leaflets, the terminal leaflet usually replaced by a twining tendril. The flowers are 14-22 mm broad, with a dark purple standard petal and paler purple wing and keel petals; they are produced in racemes of 2-7 together.
C

Beach Pea Lathyrus japon
C

The unusually extensive native range is explained by the ability of the seeds to remain viable while floating in sea water for up to 5 years, enabling the seeds to drift nearly worldwide. Germination occurs when the hard outer seed coat is abraded by waves on sand and gravel.
C

Beach Pea flowers

Toxic Principle:
They contain β-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid, which can cause paralysis. Consider all parts toxic.

C
Poisoning Symptoms include:
Paralysis