Vicia gigantea, commonly known as Giant Vetch, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, specifically to moist meadows, forest clearings, and along streams. It can grow to a height of 3-7 feet (0.9-2.1 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). The plant features tendrils that allow it to climb over other vegetation, and it has compound leaves that are made up of multiple leaflets. Giant Vetch produces showy racemes of pea-like flowers that are typically a striking deep purple, although they can also exhibit shades of red, yellow, and white. The flowering season extends from late spring to early summer.

Giant Vetch is valued for its nitrogen-fixing ability, which enriches the soil, making it a beneficial addition to restoration projects and organic gardens. It is also used for ornamental purposes in native plant gardens and as a cover crop. This species prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water. It thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy. While generally easy to maintain, it can become aggressive in some conditions, spreading rapidly and potentially outcompeting other plants.CC BY-SA 4.0