Lathyrus japonicus subsp. maritimus
Range & Status
Native. European Boreo-arctic Montane element; a coastal species also known in E. Asia and N. America.
Always extremely rare in Cornwall, it was last recorded in 1999 at Godrevy Cove, on The Lizard (SW82). In the Isles of Scilly it has also always been very rare with very few records. In 2007 a few plants were found on a beach on St. Mary' s (SV91); by 2008 they had increased to c. 30 plants.
Habitat & Ecology
A plant of shingle beaches. Its aperiodic presence in Cornwall may be due to the chance successful germination of drift seeds.
Trampling by tourists would threaten its establishment on many beaches.