Japanese name: ハマエンドウ（浜豌豆） Scientific name:Lathyrus japonicus subsp. japonicus
[Overview]
A perennial growing on sandy or gravelly ground along the coast.
It has long underground stems.
The whole plant is slightly whitish.
The stem is ridged, with a long base creeping on the ground, reaching 1 m in length.
Leaves are alternate and even-pinnately compound with 8–12 leaflets, and the tip of the leaf axis and the upper leaflets become tendrils.
The leaflets are ovate to oblong, 1.5–4 cm long, with entire margins.
The stipules are about the same size as the leaflets.
Racemes arise from the leaf axils and bear 3–6 flowers.
The flowers are purple and pea-shaped, and the standard changes from reddish purple to bluish purple.
The fruit is a legume 5 cm long.
The seeds float on seawater and are dispersed by it.
[Uses]
The seeds are used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, somewhat dry site.
Keep it on the dry side when watering; for potted plants, water after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
