Species PlantsBeach Pea

Beach Pea

Lathyrus japonicus

CommonPlant
Illustration of Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus)

Beach Pea is a trailing vine that grows on sandy ocean beaches, lake shores, and gravel bars across northern North America. Its showy purple-pink flowers are a surprise in the harsh beach environment. It fixes nitrogen, helping build soil on newly formed dunes and shorelines. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators.

Habitat
Sandy ocean beaches, Great Lakes shores, and gravel bars
Diet
Pollen and nectar for bumblebees
How common
Common

Recent Beach Pea sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Beach Pea? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More plants

Adam's Needle
Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Adonis Blazingstar
Adonis Blazingstar
Mentzelia multiflora
Allegheny Blackberry
Allegheny Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Mimulus ringens
Allegheny Serviceberry
Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
American Alumroot
American Alumroot
Heuchera americana
American Basswood
American Basswood
Tilia americana
American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana