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P I S U M maritimum.
Sea Pea.
/oy
D1ADELPHIA Decandria.
G e n . C h a r . Style triangular, keeled and downy at
the upper edge. Two upper fegments o f the
calyx fhorteft.
S p e c . C h a r . Footftalks flattifh on the upper fide.
Stem angular. Stipulae arrow-fhaped. Stalks
many-flowered.
S y n . Pifum maritimum. Linn. Sj>. PI. 1027. Sm„
FI. Brit. 760. Spied. 8. t. 9. Hudf. 3x3;
With. 629. Hull. 160.
P, marinum. Rail Syn. 319.
O BSERVED by Mr. Sowerby growing in fcattered patches
on the fhore at Walmer, Kent. It flowers in July and Auguft,
and has been noticed by botanifts on various parts of the eaft
and fouth coaft of England. The famous account given by
the learned Dr. Caius, of the peas which grew fo copioufly
in the autumn of 1555, on rocks between Aldburgh andOrford,
as to afford food for thoufands of people, relates to this plant.
A year of fcarcity drew the attention of the inhabitants to this
beneficent provifion of Nature; and, as diftrefs fpldom fails to
remind man of his Maker, they deemed it miraculous, and
feafted on what they have in other feafons overlooked or neg-
lefted, becaufe, like the bell gifts of Providence, it was
within every one’s reach.
The long perennial roots of the P. maritimum run deep between
the ftones, and the Ample, fquare, procumbent, leafy
Items fpread over the furface of the ground. The whole herb
is fmooth, of a greyifh or glaucous hue. Leaves alternate,
formed of feveral, alternate, elliptical, gradually diminifhing,
entire leaflets, their common flalk ending in a branched tendril.
Stipulae in pairs, arrow-fhaped, toothed near the bafe.
Flowers in large handfome bunches, on long axillary ftalks,
beautifully variegated with blue and crimfon. Pods oblong,
fmooth, each containing 6 or 8 feeds, which when young
are about as good as the common grey pea. The ftyle being
fharp-edged above, not flat, alone Separates this genus from
Lathy rus.