Vetch

#34. Vetch

Vicia sativa

The photo above shows the flower of vetch (Vicia sativa) as well as its pinnately compound leaf with the "snakety" tendrils at its tip. The tendrils are used to grab onto objects to help vetch up.

Scientific Name:

Vicia species.

Common Local Vetches:

Vicia americana : American Vetch, 4-6 flowers.

Vicia sativa (34K) : Common Vetch, 1-2 flowers.

Vicia villosa (26K) : Annual Cow Vetch, 12-20 flowers.

Family Name:

Pea Family

Habitat:

Open places, disturbed areas, meadows.

Characteristics:

1. Pinnately compound leaves with 8 to 18 leaflets.

2. 2-20 small, irregular pea flowers at tip of stems. Flower color ranges from bluish to rose and purple. Bloom May through summer.

3. Snakey tendrils at tips of leaves wrap around other plants & allow the vetch to climb up and carpet other meadow plants.

Uses or Importances:

1. Used as feed for livestock.

2. Those found east of the Cascade Mt. range are toxic to any that eat them (called locoweeds).

3. Most are european weeds.

4. Like all peas, they fertilize the ground.

The photo above shows the typical pea flowers of vetch.

[GHS Week #4 Wildflowers]

Slichter