It is a herbaceous perennial growing trailing stems 50–80 cm (20–31 in) long, typically on sand and gravel storm beaches.

The leaf blades are pinnate with three to five pairs of narrow lanceolate leaflets with blunt tips, entire margins and a terminal tendril.

[2] Lathyrus japonicus is native to temperate parts of Europe, Asia, North and South America.

Germination occurs when waves abrade the hard outer seed coat on sand or gravel.

The pods can be eaten,[4] but like many members of the genus Lathyrus they contain β-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid, which can cause paralysis called lathyrism.