Beach Pea

Scientific Name: Lathyrus japonicus Willd.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Fabales / Fabaceae / Leguminosae / Lathyrus L./ Lathyrus japonicus Willd.

Beach Pea
General Information
Usda SymbolLAJA
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsForb/herbVine,
Native LocationsLAJA

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Beach Pea is planted.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-33
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum190
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Minimum6.0
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim11000
Planting Density per Acre, Minim3450
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum30
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Salinity ToleranceMedium
Shade ToleranceIntermediate


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationDecumbent
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
BloatNone
C:N RatioLow
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorDark Green
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Fruit/Seed ColorBlack
Nitrogen FixationMedium
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanShort
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)1.5
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormSingle Crown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Foliage TextureMedium


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateModerate
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Seed per Pound12000
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Commercial AvailabilityContracting Only
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Beach Pea

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