Lathyrus maritimus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• beach pea
• maritime pea
• sand pea
• sea pea
• sea vetchling
• seaside pea
• beach-pea
• sea-pea
• beach peavine
• beach vetchling

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Orobus japonicus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and falls under the genus Lathyrus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the territories of Denmark and Finland. Its presence is also documented in the coastal areas of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Additionally, the species is located throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range in the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lathyrus japonicus is characterized by its specialized adaptation to coastal and low-lying environments, thriving within an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This species is specifically adapted to high-stress maritime habitats, frequently colonizing areas such as lakes, sand, sea, and shores. Its ability to persist in these sandy and saline environments highlights its ecological role in stabilizing coastal substrates and navigating the unique nutrient and moisture profiles found in littoral zones.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, sand, sea, shores

Genetics

The genetics of Lathyrus japonicus are characterized by a stable diploid chromosomal constitution, as indicated by its ploidy level of 2. This diploidy signifies that the organism possesses two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells, a fundamental genetic state that facilitates normal meiotic processes and ensures high levels of genetic stability during reproduction. This specific ploidy level plays a crucial role in maintaining the species' evolutionary fitness and phenotypic consistency across its natural habitats. The inheritance patterns within this species are governed by these two sets of homologous chromosomes, which allow for the recombination of alleles during sexual reproduction, thereby driving the genetic diversity necessary for adaptation.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Lathyrus japonicus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, its perennual nature is supported by buds located at or near the soil surface, which protect it during unfavorable conditions. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and provides a continuous photosynthetic presence throughout much of its existence.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lathyrus japonicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. As an obligatory climber, it adopts a vine-like habit to ascend, typically maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant exhibits a variable height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.434 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.434 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lathyrus japonicus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy is typical for many temperate legumes, allowing the plant to perform carbon assimilation efficiently under moderate light and temperature conditions. Furthermore, the species exhibits a non-carnivorous physiological profile, meaning it lacks specialized structures for capturing or digesting prey and instead relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake and symbiotic nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lathyrus japonicus is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in August, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome specifically involving bees and other insects. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating these insect intermediaries for successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. This fruit is dehiscent, meaning it splits open at maturity to facilitate seed release. The dispersal syndrome is classified as autochorous, where the plant employs its own mechanisms to disperse seeds. The resulting seeds exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0320330625 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.023 g to a maximum of 0.03915 g. Furthermore, the plant does not engage in asexual reproduction, relying entirely on its sexual processes for propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.03915 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0320330625 g

Seed mass min:

0.023 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lathyrus japonicus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Azukisaponin II, Azukisaponin V, Lathyrus saponin.

Azukisaponin II

1. Journal of natural products

Azukisaponin V

1. Journal of natural products

Lathyrus saponin

1. Journal of natural products