Spring Vetch

(Vicia sativa)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Spring Vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: A climbing vine. Flowers pink to lavender, large, pealike, borne on short stalks and arising singly or in pairs from the leaf axils. Stem smooth. Leaves divided into 4 to 8 opposite pairs with a terminal tendril. Leaflets with the apex truncate and notched center, commonly with a projecting spine.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Spring Vetch is grown as a forage crop and frequently escapes to roadsides, fields, and other disturbed habitats.

Flowering period: May to August.

Similar Species: The combination on the large pink flowers borne singly or in pairs in the leaf axils with the truncate, notched leaflets will readily identify this vetch species.

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