A vigorous inhabitant of the coastal dunes, with attractive trifoliate leaves.

Marine Vine - Vigna marina - Photo by Bill Hinton

It is a valuable ground cover, often stabilising sand dunes in association with GOAT'S FOOT IPOMOEA (Ipomoea-pes-capre).

The pale-yellow pea shape flowers are carried above the foliage in erect racemes. A few flowers occur for most of the year, but the main flowering is from March to May. The fruits are bean-like and measure up to 7 or 8cm.

It is said that the roots of some species of Vigna were an important part of the diet of the Aborigines, and were eaten after roasting.