This is one of the most common beach plants, and is seldom found away from salty soil. It grows in the salt marshes and on the beach, starting its flowering in June and continuing throughout the summer.
Red or Purple Flowers
Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus)
Flowers are in clusters Branches end in twining tendrils Leaflets small, toothless, and numerous
Anyone who has seen a garden pea will recognize the Beach Pea, which is similar to but smaller than its cousin. The purple flowers are seen from May throughout the summer, and the peas are found in late summer. These peas are edible, though not particularly delicious. You will notice that Beach Pea stems are angular in cross section—a further clue to identification.
Beach Pinweed (Lechea maritima)
Fruit very tiny, berry-like Leaves tiny and narrow
Pinweed is a plant of sandy soils. Often it is found growing alone on a patch of barren sand. It flowers throughout July and August. Its stem is so very woody and tough that it may easily be mistaken for a tiny, stunted tree.