Back Dune/ Beach Pea

COMMON NAME: Beach Pea

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Sea Pea, Seaside Pea

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lathyrus maritimus

FAMILY: Fabaceae

COMMUNITY: Secondary Dune

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: To one foot

FLOWERING TIME: July to early September

FRUITING TIME: July to late September

DISTRIBUTION: Atlantic coast south to New Jersey, Great Lakes

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Trailing seaside plant with smooth, pale green stems and somewhat fleshy leaves. Curling tendrils extend from leaf ends ~ showy lavender flowers grow on long flower stalks ~ smooth, stalk-less seed pods contain small peas

GENERAL INFORMATION: Found along coastal areas of the northern United States, Canada, Europe and Asia, Beach Pea belongs to an enormous family of over 10,000 species that includes peas, beans and clovers. New Jersey represents the southernmost edge of its range. As with other members of this family, the flowers are attractive food sources for bees and butterflies while the peas are eaten by birds and rodents. In 1864, Thoreau wrote that Cape Cod oystermen and the inhabitants of Newfoundland were fond of this beach vegetable. However, beach peas are smaller than cultivated species and shelling enough to feed a large group is a long, tedious process. The young, bright green pods can also be eaten whole like snow peas and are high in B complex vitamins, beta carotene and protein. Beach peas should never be eaten without expert supervision due to the fact that other members of the pea family, some in the same genus, are poisonous.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails. This information is presented for educational purposes only.ark. New Jersey, 08752.