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Vigna marina

(Burm.) Merr. (1917)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Vigna

‘ōkolemakili, ‘ōkoleomakili, beach pea, lemuomakili, mohihihi, nanea, nenea, pūhili [puhili], pūhilihili [pulihilihi], pūlihilihi, wahine ‘ōma‘o [wahine omao]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Somewhat succulent creeping or climbing perennial herbs up to several m long, becoming woody toward base, sparsely to densely pubescent.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound (pinnately trifoliolate or occasionally unifoliolate). Alternate. Leaflets 3.5–10.5 cm long, 2.5–8.8 cm wide. Leaflets rhombic–elliptic to broadly rhombic–ovate or obovate. Apex rounded to emarginate. Surfaces sparsely appressed pilose, soon glabrate. Leaflet margins entire. Petiolate. Stipules peltate, stipules truncate.

Flowers: Flowers slightly waxy, in racemes 6.3–14 cm long, peduncles 4.3–10.5 cm long. Flowers papilionaceous, bracteoles present; pedicels 4.5–6 mm long. Calyx green, tinged reddish, upper 2 lobes completely connate, forming an entire upper lip 1.8–2 mm long, lateral lobes deltate, ca. 1.5 mm long, lowest tooth deltate, ca. 2 mm long, glabrous. Calyx bilabiate, 5-lobed, lower lip 3 lobed. Corolla green in bud, bright yellow at anthesis, 12–19 mm long, standard very broadly obcordate, reflexed, keel not beaked, incurved ca. 1/2 turn or less. Stamens 10; upper stamen distinct, the other 9 connate into a tube. Ovary superior; styles bearded below the stigma along the inner edge; stigma lateral.

Fruit: Pods linear–oblong; inflated; slightly curved; 35–60 mm long; 8–9 mm wide; glabrous; slightly constricted between the seeds. Seeds 2–10; yellowish brown to reddish brown; reniform or broadly ellipsoid; 6–7 mm long; 4.5–6 mm wide; slightly compressed; hilum oblong; rim–aril scarcely developed.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat: Occurring at the vegetation line on sandy beaches; rarely found somewhat inland on sea cliffs and dry shrubby slopes.

Elevation Range: 0–120 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Only found in cultivation
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • 0-120 m on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaiʻi
  • Description digitized by Ikaika Mendez
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii

Bibliography

Name Published In: Interpr. Herb. Amboin.: 285 (1917)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:720 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples et al. 2003:12/Imada & Kennedy 2020:77 (KEY); Staples & Herbst 2005:330 (DESCR); Naomi Worcester pers. comm. 2025 (Ku?, recently introduced for restoration and now established, but no spm.)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Vigna marina Kawailoa On beach. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1929-07-14
2 Vigna marina Shore of Halawa Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH 1910-03-01
3 Vigna marina Beach near Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2271 Oahu BISH 1915-12-15
4 Vigna marina Puna Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. Hawaii BISH 1864-01-01
5 Vigna marina Halawa Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH
6 Vigna marina Kahana; Hauula Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH 1908-11-21
7 Vigna marina Kailua, Kawainui Marsh, near Kapaa Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Twiner growing along ground and up vertical surface. Britton, D.K. Oahu BISH 1999-12-05
8 Vigna marina Mokuauia Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 14165 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
9 Vigna marina Mokuauia Island Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 14165 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
10 Vigna marina Kilauea Preserved_Specimen Brigham, W.T. Hawaii BISH
11 Vigna marina 4 miles east of Haena County Park, north side of road towards beach Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. Kauai BISH 1984-08-30
12 Vigna marina Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1909-06-11
13 Vigna marina Hilo Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Hawaii BISH
14 Vigna marina Mokuauia Island Preserved_Specimen (Not on sheet) Oahu BISH 1967-05-12
15 Vigna marina I. Sandwich Preserved_Specimen Gaudichaud-Beaupré, C. 167 BISH 1836-09-01
16 Vigna marina unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
17 Vigna marina Halawa Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH
18 Vigna marina North Kohala District: Pololu Valley, on shingle beach Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25493 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-30
19 Vigna marina unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
20 Vigna marina unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
21 Vigna marina unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
22 Vigna marina Kalaupapa; Waileia, mouth along clifface exposed Preserved_Specimen climbing perennial herb Wysong, M.L. 558 Molokai BISH 2005-01-04
23 Vigna marina Kealia; at back of beach On sandy soil. Growing with Ipomoea pes-caprae, Jacquemontia, Boerhavia, Scaevola, and Casuarina. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous vine with yellow flowers and dark green foliage. Herbst, D.R. 1074 Kauai BISH 1968-04-21
24 Vigna marina Waimea Bay Along beach. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11087 Oahu BISH 1937-03-06
25 Vigna marina Laupahoehoe Point along the Branco shoreline Scrambling lianes on beach rubble. Plants receiving heavy salt spray from the long breakers which impact this straight beach. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Takeuchi, W.N. 1897 Hawaii BISH 1984-12-29
26 Vigna marina Kahuku Sandy soil. Mostly coastal plants. Preserved_Specimen Low lying vine with yellow flowers. Guinto, J. 5 Oahu BISH 1986-02-04
27 Vigna marina Kahana Covering Scaevola koenigii. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH 1908-11-14
28 Vigna marina Kahuku at the northern tip of the island Back-beach flora between the golf course and the sea, in sand. Preserved_Specimen Hutchison, P.C. 2860 Oahu BISH 1967-01-21
29 Vigna marina Bishop Museum Campus, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu. Cultivated beside the pool between the Atherton Halau and the Lanai Restaurant/ Growing as a ground cover. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling and twining vine; flowers bright yellow; pods brown, splitting open at length. Phillips, T. 4 Oahu BISH 1990-07-11
30 Vigna marina Alau. On ridge on W side of island Also scattered on sheer areas and near the coast. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5040523 Maui BISH 2005-04-05
31 Vigna marina Alau, offshore islet, SW of Haena, W end of saddle ridge Scaevola sericea, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Vigna marina, Boerhavia repens, Portulaca lutea, Schiedea globosa Preserved_Specimen vine, scandent; stems green, ridges; corolla yellow; fruit Wood, K.R. 11188 Maui BISH 2005-04-05
32 Vigna marina Mauka of Kaluakoi Point. Cultivated on steep roadside bank with other native species (Scaevola, Vitex) in recently developed subdivision. Preserved_Specimen Vines. Oppenheimer, H.L. 30914 Lanai BISH 2009-03-17
33 Vigna marina North Shore: along beach between Kaena Point and Kaiaka Bay Coral sand ridges. On coral sand a little back from the sea. Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242199 Oahu BISH 1924-09-04
34 Vigna marina Kaena, 2 miles west of Kawaihapai On beach. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate. St.John, H. 9984 Oahu BISH 1929-11-03
35 Vigna marina Kamala Point On sand dunes with Euphorbia Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-21
36 Vigna marina SE Coast: At Ka Lae Paoo, Mahaulepu Sandy beach. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Leguminous creeper. Stone, B.C. 728 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
37 Vigna marina Kealia; at back of beach On sandy soil. Growing with Ipomoea pes-caprae, Jacquemontia, Boerhavia, Scaevola, and Casuarina. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous vine with yellow flowers and dark green foliage. Herbst, D.R. 1074 Kauai BISH 1968-04-21
38 Vigna marina Kawaihapai Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3243 Oahu BISH 1925-12-01
39 Vigna marina Hilo District: King's Landing, Keakaha In association with Pandanus and Scaevola; coastal strand Preserved_Specimen Vine to 0.5 m; flowers yellow. Annable, C.R. 3752 Hawaii BISH 1998-01-18
40 Vigna marina Haleiwa Coastal sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1643 Oahu BISH 1923-05-31
41 Vigna marina S. Hilo, E of Richardson's Beach Park toward Leleiwi Point rocky coast; with Scaevola sericea, Vitex rotundifolia, Pandanus tectorius, Thespesia populnea; Casuarina equisetifolia, Cocos nucifera Preserved_Specimen Price, J.P. 74 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-06
42 Vigna marina Moomomi Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10930 Molokai BISH 1928-04-19
43 Vigna marina Kahuku Near beach. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Plants luxuriant after rainy season. Bishop, B. Oahu BISH 1963-06-02
44 Vigna marina Ka Lae Paoo, Mahaulepu Sandy beach. Preserved_Specimen Creeping vine with yellow flowers. Stone, B.C. 728 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
45 Vigna marina Kealia Growing with Ipomoea pes-caprae, Jacquemontia, Boerhavia, Scaevola, and Casuarina on sandy soil at back of beach. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous vine with yellow flowers and dark green foliage. Herbst, D.R. 1074 Kauai BISH 1968-04-21
46 Vigna marina Ka Lae Paoo, Mahaulepu Sandy beach. Preserved_Specimen Creeping vine with yellow flowers. Stone, B.C. 728 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
47 Vigna marina Wailua Trailing on basalt sea cliffs. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 17863 Maui BISH 1936-12-30
48 Vigna marina Mokuleia Beach Park Climbing over Scaevola taccada, on the first dunes behind the beach. Preserved_Specimen Creeping-climbing herb. Leaves light green. Flowers yellow, at base of claw of standard with 2 darker yellow spots, outside pale yellow. Pods black. van Royen, P. 10199 Oahu BISH 1968-02-17
49 Vigna marina Kapalama: Bishop Museum; Atherton Halau Used as a ground cover, with some twining tendency, Full sun. Preserved_Specimen Color of the standard and wings: mimosa. Color of the keel: citron. Lau, J. 1088 Oahu BISH 1985-06-13
50 Vigna marina Waimea District. Kawaiele Waterbird Sanctuary Coastal wetlands. W/ Bacopa monnieri, Dodonaea viscosa, Fimbristylis cymosa, Heliotropium curassavicum, Heteropogon contortus, Jacquemontia sandwicensis, Nama sandwicensis, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Sida fallax, Vitex rotundifolia, Preserved_Specimen Semi-succulent prostrate vine. In fruit Walsh, S. 787 Kauai BISH 2021-01-07
51 Vigna marina Koolau Poko District; Mokapu Peninsula Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Pyramid Rock Beach Growing w/Scaevola on dunes back of the beach. Preserved_Specimen Common vine; flowers yellow. Herbst, D.R. 9750 Oahu BISH 1996-01-08
52 Vigna marina Nihoa Gulch, east side of Mokuleia Dry shrubby slopes. Preserved_Specimen Vine. Hume, E.P. 308 Oahu BISH 1932-11-15
53 Vigna marina Kalaupapa, Peninsula, Na Laea point, beach in front of northernmost cottage, Bernard's costal strand, white sand and basalt rock mix; naupaka, lantana, akia Preserved_Specimen sprawling vine Wysong, M.L. 852 Molokai BISH 2006-01-16
54 Vigna marina Kamala Point On sand dunes with Euphorbia Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-21
55 Vigna marina Punaluu, Kau ocean dunes, blackish lava sand Preserved_Specimen large N-fixing nodules Degener, O. 35676 Hawaii BISH 1982-04-13
56 Vigna marina Kaaawa Growing in sand at edge of beach. Preserved_Specimen Vine w. yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 5344 Oahu BISH 1975-06-02
57 Vigna marina Near the beginning of Kalalau Trail, Haena Beach, On rocks behind beach, below hula and heauo platforms. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-15
58 Vigna marina Kalalau Beach Growing on shrubs, such as Scaevola taccada and Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. ESP Field Crew 1 Kauai BISH 1979-07-16
59 Vigna marina Kanaha Pond, Kahului, Maui, Hawaii Growing along a pond margin in sandy, damp soil. Back side of pond. Apparently the original remnant population at Kanaha Pond. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous vine, green, trifoliate leaves, yellow pea-like flower, pod fruits. Crago, L.M. 2005180 Maui BISH 2005-08-09
60 Vigna marina Waiakea; Leleiwi Point Growing over sand and rocks at edge of beach. Preserved_Specimen Common vine with yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 4079 Hawaii BISH 1974-08-13
61 Vigna marina Along shores in Waiehu sand dune area west of golf course Associated with Cynodon and Canavalia. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 316 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
62 Vigna marina Alau, offshore islet SW of Hana coastal herb, shrub, grassland; Scaevola sericea, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Vigna marina, Boehavia repens, Portulaca lutea, Schiedea globosa Preserved_Specimen scandent in naupaka; corolla yellow; fruit Wood, K.R. 12907 Maui BISH 2008-03-19
63 Vigna marina W Maui, N shore Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10929 Maui BISH 1927-08-05
64 Vigna marina Windward Oahu: Lanikai Beach Sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 414 Oahu BISH 1973-07-24
65 Vigna marina Kaena: Nihoa Gulch Base of cliff, springy spot. Preserved_Specimen Climber, flowers yellow. St.John, H. 11141 Oahu BISH 1931-11-15
66 Vigna marina Along north shore of Mokapu Peninsula Beach sand dunes. Common. Preserved_Specimen Webster, G.L. 1492 Oahu BISH 1948-04-16
67 Vigna marina East Maui, Hana District: Coastal pasture lands SE of Kauiki from Kaihalulu Bay to Ka Iwi O Pele On coastal cliff with Scaevola. Preserved_Specimen Vine; leaves dark green above with pale green veins, paler below. Flowers bright yellow. Flynn, T.W. 2546 Maui BISH 1987-10-22
68 Vigna marina Northwest of Makapuu Head Sandy slope. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Webster, G.L. 1349 Oahu BISH 1948-03-14
69 Vigna marina Pupukea On sand near beach. Preserved_Specimen Vine. Hume, E.P. 256 Oahu BISH 1931-10-30
70 Vigna marina Kahana Dense groundcover on wavecut banks at the highwater line. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3598 Oahu BISH 1987-06-20
71 Vigna marina Hanalei District. Kalalau, coastline around river mouth. Scaevola taccada coastal shrubland near boulder beach w/ Chenopodium oahuense, Artemisia australis, Vigna maritima, Canavalia napaliensis, Capparis sandwichensis, Panicum fauriel latius, Lysimachia mautitiana, Adiantum capilus-veneris. Preserved_Specimen Vine, around heiau, in flower and fruit, corolla yellow, uncommon. Wood, K.R. 17758 Kauai BISH 2017-12-15
72 Vigna marina Kaneohe Bay; along Kamehameha Highway on mauka side in front of a residence Along highway. Preserved_Specimen Sohmer, S.H. 6079 Oahu BISH 1969-09-06
73 Vigna marina Kaalualu Bay near South Point Found on lava rocks in one spot only, by the cattle loading pen. Preserved_Specimen Yellow flowered vine. Whistler, W.A. 67 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
74 Vigna marina Hamoa Preserved_Specimen Yellow flower. Trailing vine. Handy, E.S. 3327 Maui BISH 1933-07-12
75 Vigna marina Kawaihapai Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10927 Oahu BISH 1930-01-01
76 Vigna marina Kaena Point In sand behind rocky beach. Preserved_Specimen Trailing, flowers yellow. Lamoureux, C.H. 2825 Hawaii BISH 1965-03-19
77 Vigna marina Laie: Mokuauia Island Thin soil on reef rock. Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellow. Fosberg, F.R. 14165 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
78 Vigna marina Hilo: Hilo Bay Rocky coast. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 1644 Hawaii BISH 1922-12-01
79 Vigna marina Waiakea; Leleiwi Point Growing over sand and rocks at edge of beach. Preserved_Specimen Common vine with yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 4079 Hawaii BISH 1974-08-13
80 Vigna marina Waihu Beach In sand at level of, and above Sesuvium portulacastrum & Boerhavia. Preserved_Specimen Vine, semi-herbaceous covering ground and standing 1 & 2/3 meters high. Flowers yellow. Leaves bright, pale green. Woolford, H.A. 191 Maui BISH 1956-01-01
81 Vigna marina Kahana Dense groundcover on wavecut banks at the highwater line. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3598 Oahu BISH 1987-06-20
82 Vigna marina East Maui, Near Hana, near coast Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10928 Maui BISH 1927-06-12
83 Vigna marina USDA Plant Materials Center; grass and legume groundcover trial, initial testing field 8A; row 1; plot 7; HA-3386 Preserved_Specimen Vine in poor condition; heavily infested w/aphids, mealybugs & scales. Stems pale green w/red striations; lvs dull forest green above, glaucous below, stiff; flrs clustered, yellow & pea-shaped. Evans, M. 66 Molokai BISH 1990-07-09
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