About Lathyrus littoralis (Nutt.) Endl. ex Walp.
Lathyrus littoralis (Nutt.) Endl. ex Walp., commonly called the silky beach pea, is a species of wild pea. It is native to the western North American coastline, ranging from British Columbia to California, where it grows naturally on beaches and in dune habitats. This is a perennial herb that grows a clump of hairy gray-green stems, which trail along sandy ground or grow slightly upright. Its woolly leaves are composed of multiple oval to oblong, scoop-shaped leaflets. The plant produces small, tough tendrils, but it does not use these structures to climb. It bears dense inflorescences holding several flowers, each 1 to 2 centimeters wide. Every flower is bicolored, with deep pink that has dark veins paired with white. The fruit is a dehiscent, oval-shaped, hairy legume pod. Lathyrus littoralis blooms from late spring to early summer, and its roots are edible.
