Hairy Vetch

(Vicia villosa)

Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: A climbing vine. Flowers blue-violet to purple, arranged in a crowded, one-sided spike arising on a long flower stalk from the leaf axil. Short stem connecting flower to the flower cluster (pedicel) arises from the ventral margin of the calyx. Stem hairy. Leaves divided into 5 to 12 pairs of opposite leaflets with an apical tendril. Apex of each leaflet pointed.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America.

Habitat: Hairy Vetch is found in a variety of disturbed habitats including fields, pastures, and roadsides. This species is also planted as a forage crop and soil stabilizer.

Flowering period: May to October.

Similar Species: Hairy Vetch is very similar to Cow Vetch. The foliage of Cow Vetch is not hairy. The short stalk connecting the flower to the flower cluster (pedicel) of Cow Vetch appears to arise from the rear margin of the calyx, not the ventral margin. The leaflets of Spring Vetch are truncated and notched. The flower clusters of Purple Vetch are smaller and the flowers are bicolored and red-purple, not bluish.